Authentication device, authentication system, authentication method, and program

ABSTRACT

An authentication device includes: a wearing position determination unit that determines a wearing position, the wearing position being a position at which a wearable article comprising a sensor is being worn on a body; and an authentication unit that performs authentication by using biometric information of the body, the biometric information being detected by the sensor at the wearing position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/744,471 filed on Jan. 12, 2018, which is aNational Stage Entry of international application No. PCT/JP2016/069479filed on Jun. 30, 2016, which claims the benefit of priority fromJapanese Patent Application No. 2015-141177 filed on Jul. 15, 2015, thedisclosures of all of which are incorporated in their entirety byreference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an authentication device, anauthentication system, an authentication method and a program.

BACKGROUND ART

In biometric authentication technologies such as fingerprintauthentication and vein authentication, the finger of an authenticationsubject must be appropriately placed on a placement surface on which thefinger is to be placed, in order to allow the fingerprint or the veinpattern of the authentication subject to be collated with pre-registeredauthentication data.

For example, Patent Document 1 describes a biometric authenticationmethod wherein a fingertip sensor for detecting misalignment of thefinger placement position is provided on a tip placement surface of atip placement portion on which the inside tip of a finger is to beplaced, whereby misalignment of the inside tip of the finger is detectedand the user is notified of misalignment of the finger placementposition.

Additionally, in recent years, so-called wearable terminals, in which aninformation terminal is installed in a device that is worn on the body,such as a wristwatch, eyeglasses, a wristband or a finger ring (ring),have been provided. Wearable terminals often store information regardingthe individual wearing that terminal, and mechanisms for authenticatingwhether or not they are being worn by the owner have been sought forsecurity purposes.

Consider examples in which biometric authentication technologies areused in wearable terminals. For example, in the case of awristwatch-type wearable terminal, an authentication method wherein aunit for fingerprint authentication is installed in the wearableterminal and fingerprint authentication is performed, for example, whena user places a finger on the display unit of the wristwatch, might becontemplated.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS Patent Documents

-   [Patent Document 1]-   Japanese Patent Publication No. 5598687

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problem to be Solved by the Invention

Many users feel that such wristwatch-type wearable terminals are toolarge and unwieldy to be worn on the body all of the time. For thisreason, there has been a demand, from users, for more compact wearableterminals (e.g., ring-type wearable terminals) having an authenticationfunction.

An exemplary object of the present invention is to provide anauthentication device, a wearable article, a contact lens, a fingerring, an authentication system, an authentication method and a programthat can solve one of the above-mentioned problems.

Means for Solving the Problem

An authentication device according to an exemplary aspect of the presentinvention includes: a wearing position determination unit thatdetermines a wearing position, the wearing position being a position atwhich a wearable article including a sensor is being worn on a body; andan authentication unit that performs authentication by using biometricinformation of the body, the biometric information being detected by thesensor at the wearing position.

A wearable article according to an exemplary aspect of the presentinvention includes the above-mentioned authentication device.

A finger ring according to an exemplary aspect of the present inventionincludes the above-mentioned authentication device.

A contact lens according to an exemplary aspect of the present inventionincludes: a surface that is coated with a fluorescent coating; and theabove-mentioned authentication device.

An authentication system according to an exemplary aspect of the presentinvention includes: the above-mentioned authentication device; and adisplay device that obtains, from the authentication device, informationindicating the wearing position, and displays information for improvingthe wearing position based on the information indicating the wearingposition.

An authentication system according to an exemplary aspect of the presentinvention includes: a wearable article including a sensor that detectsthe biometric information; and an information processing deviceincluding the above-mentioned authentication device.

An authentication method according to an exemplary aspect of the presentinvention includes: determining a wearing position, the wearing positionbeing a position at which a wearable article including a sensor is beingworn on a body; and performing authentication by using biometricinformation of the body, the biometric information being detected by thesensor at the wearing position.

A program according to an exemplary aspect of the present invention forcausing a computer of an authentication device to execute: determining awearing position, the wearing position being a position at which awearable article including a sensor is being worn on a body; andperforming authentication by using biometric information of the body,the biometric information being detected by the sensor at the wearingposition.

Effect of the Invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to authenticatewhether or not a person who is wearing a wearable article is the ownerof that wearable article.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the structure of an authenticationdevice according to a first exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the authentication device according tothe first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an example illustrating the specific structure of a wearablearticle according to the first exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a first diagram for explaining the authentication methodaccording to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a second diagram for explaining the authentication methodaccording to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6A is a third diagram for explaining the authentication methodaccording to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6B is a third diagram for explaining the authentication methodaccording to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a fourth diagram for explaining the authentication methodaccording to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a fourth diagram for explaining the authentication methodaccording to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8A is a fifth diagram for explaining the authentication methodaccording to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8B is a fifth diagram for explaining the authentication methodaccording to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating an example of the authenticationmethod according to the first exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the authenticationsystem according to a second exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display in theauthentication system according to the second exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating an example of an authenticationimage registration method according to the second exemplary embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the authenticationsystem according to a third exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart illustrating an example of an authenticationimage registration method according to a fourth exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustrating an example of the authenticationmethod according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart illustrating an example of an authenticationimage registration method according to a fifth exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart illustrating an example of the authenticationmethod according to the fifth exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of an authentication systemaccording to a sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart illustrating an example of an authenticationimage registration method according to the sixth exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart illustrating an example of the authenticationmethod according to the sixth exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wearable articleaccording to a seventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a flow chart illustrating an example of the authenticationmethod according to the seventh exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 23A is a diagram illustrating an example of a marker diagram forpositioning according to the seventh exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 23B is a diagram illustrating an example of a marker diagram forpositioning according to the seventh exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 23C is a diagram illustrating an example of a marker diagram forpositioning according to the seventh exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 24 is a diagram for explaining position determination according tothe seventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a flow chart illustrating an example of an iris imageregistration method according to an eighth exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 26 is a flow chart illustrating an example of an iris imageregistration method according to a ninth exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of an authentication systemaccording to a tenth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a flow chart illustrating an example of an authenticationmethod according to a tenth exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 29 is a section view illustrating an example of a wearable articleaccording to an eleventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

EMBODIMENTS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION First Exemplary Embodiment

Herebelow, an authentication device according to a first exemplaryembodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference toFIGS. 1 to 9 .

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the structure of an authenticationdevice according to a first exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the authentication device 30 includes at least awearing position determination unit 34 and an authentication unit 35.

The wearing position determination unit 34 determines the wearingposition at which a wearable article, including an image sensor or thelike, is worn on the body.

The authentication unit 35 performs authentication using biometricinformation from the body, detected by the sensor at the wearingposition. The biometric information may, for example, be a vein pattern,an iris, a fingerprint, a skin wrinkle pattern or a facial image.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an authentication device according to afirst exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 2 , the wearable article 10 includes a memory unit 11, acommunication unit 12, a battery unit 13, a charging unit 14, a controlunit 15 and an authentication device 30A. The authentication device 30Aincludes a position detection unit 31, an imaging unit 32, a wearingdetection unit 33, a wearing position determination unit 34, anauthentication unit 35, a display control unit 36, a display unit 37 anda memory unit 38.

The wearable article 10 may, for example, be a wristwatch, a wristband,a finger ring (ring), eyeglasses, a contact lens, a necklace, clothing,shoes or socks. Personal information regarding the user owning thewearable article 10 is recorded in the wearable article 10. The user canmake use of various services by using the wearable article 10, which isworn on the body instead of an IC (Integrated Circuit) card. Forexample, the user can use the wearable article 10 for personalidentification when making use of payment services, riding on publictransit systems, entering and exiting secured rooms and buildings, andparticipating in events or the like. Therefore, if the wearable article10 were to be worn and used by another person, the privacy of alegitimate user could be violated, or the legitimate user could suffereconomic and/or social harm. Therefore, an authentication device 30A isprovided in the wearable article 10 to determine whether or not theperson wearing the wearable article 10 is a legitimate user. If, as aresult of authentication by the authentication device 30A, the personwearing the wearable article is found not to be a legitimate user, thenthe wearable article 10 suspends the functions that are used in paymentservices or the like. In the first exemplary embodiment, an example inwhich the wearable article 10 is a ring-type wearable terminal will beexplained. Additionally, in the first exemplary embodiment, theauthentication device 30A authenticates a legitimate user by means ofvein authentication.

The memory unit 11 stores encrypted personal information for alegitimate user. The personal information may, for example, beidentification information that is associated with the legitimate user.The identification information mentioned here may, for example, beinformation that is used to identify a user in various types of paymentservices, similar to the information that is recorded, for example, onan IC card.

The communication unit 12 communicates by means of short-range wirelesscommunications such as NFC (Near Field Communications), for example,with an NFC card reader.

The battery unit 13 is a secondary battery that supplies electric powerto the wearable article 10 and the authentication device 30A.

The charging unit 14 includes a power-receiving coil or the like. Thecharging unit 14 receives electric power transmitted, for example, froma power-transmitting coil of a non-contact charger, and stores theelectric power in the battery unit 13.

The control unit 15 controls the actions of the wearable article 10. Forexample, when the user places the wearable article 10 near an NFC cardreader, the authentication device 30A determines whether or not the userwearing the wearable article 10 is a legitimate user. If theauthentication unit 30A determines that the user wearing the wearablearticle 10 is a legitimate user, the control unit 15 permits thepersonal information of the legitimate user, which is stored in thememory unit 11, to be transmitted by the communication unit 12, therebyenabling the use of payment services or the like.

The position detection unit 31 detects the wearing position at which thewearable article 10 is worn on the body. The position detection unit 31may, for example, be an electrostatic capacitive sensor, a pressuresensor, a temperature sensor, an acceleration sensor, an image sensor oran ultrasonic sensor.

The imaging unit 32 captures an image including biometric information ofthe user relating to the wearing position at which the wearable article10 is worn. The imaging unit 32 captures an image on the basis of thedetermination by the wearing position determination unit 34.

The wearing detection unit 33 detects the starting of a wearing actionby which the user wears the wearable article 10.

When the wearing detection unit 33 detects that a wearing action hasbeen started, the wearing position determination unit 34 determineswhether or not the wearing position of the wearable article 10 is aposition that is appropriate for capturing an image including biometricinformation for performing an authentication as to whether or not theuser wearing the wearable article 10 is a legitimate user.

The authentication unit 35 collates an image captured by the imagingunit 32 at a position that is appropriate for capturing an image, asdetermined by the wearing position determination unit 34, with an imageincluding biometric information of the legitimate user, which has beenencrypted and registered beforehand. The authentication unit 35authenticates whether or not the user wearing the wearable article 10 isa legitimate user based on the collation results.

The display control unit 36 controls information that is displayed onthe display unit 37 based on the determination results of the wearingposition determination unit 34 and the authentication results of theauthentication unit 35.

The display unit 37 displays information that is presented to the user.The display unit 37 may, for example, be an LED (light emitting diode).

The memory unit 38 stores an image including the encrypted biometricinformation of the legitimate user and various types of informationnecessary for the authentication process.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of the specific structure of the wearablearticle 10A according to the first exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a section view of a wearable article 10A (hereinafter referredto as ring 10A), which is a ring-type wearable terminal. The ring 10Aincludes an acceleration sensor 310, electrostatic capacitive sensors311A to 311D, a light source 320, a TFT (Thin-Film Transistor) sensor(imaging element) 321, LED lamps 370A to 370C and a computation device40. In addition thereto, the ring 10A includes features corresponding tothe communication unit 12, the battery unit 13 and the like, which areomitted in the figure. As shown in FIG. 3 , the electrostatic capacitivesensors 311A to 311D are provided at equidistant intervals on thecross-sectional circumference of the ring 10A. The electrostaticcapacitive sensors 311A and 311C are disposed at positions that faceeach other in the vertical direction. The electrostatic capacitivesensors 311B and 311D are disposed at positions that face each other inthe horizontal direction. The inner circumferential surface G of thering 10A at the portion where the TFT sensor 321 is provided is coveredwith cover glass that transmits infrared light. The electrostaticcapacitive sensor 311C is disposed at a position that is further towardsthe front side or towards the reverse side of the page surface, in thecentral axis direction, than the position at which the TFT sensor 321 isprovided on the ring 10A, so as not to cross the propagation path of theinfrared light received by the TFT sensor 321. The other electrostaticcapacitive sensors 311A, 311B and 311D are also disposed at the sameposition as the electrostatic capacitive sensor 311C in the central axisdirection. The inner circumference of the ring 10A is in the form of aperfect circle.

The acceleration sensor 310 detects the acceleration acting on the ring10A. The acceleration sensor 310 may, for example, be a triaxialacceleration sensor. The electrostatic capacitive sensor 311A detectsthe distance between the electrostatic capacitive sensor 311A and thesurface of the skin of the finger. The electrostatic capacitive sensors311B to 311D are the same as the electrostatic capacitive sensor 311A.The acceleration sensor 310 and the electrostatic capacitive sensors311A to 311D are an example of the position detection unit 31. The lightsource 320 emits infrared light. The TFT sensor 321 receives transmittedlight after the infrared light has been scattered and transmittedthrough the finger. The TFT sensor 321 converts the received transmittedlight to an electric signal and generates an image. The vein pattern atthe position at which the ring 10A is worn appears in the imagegenerated by the TFT sensor 321. The light source 320 and the TFT sensor321 are an example of the imaging unit 32. The LED lamps 370A to 370Cindicate, to the user, the wearing position determination results andthe authentication results from vein authentication. For example, theLED lamps 370A to 370C emit light based on an instruction signal fromthe display control unit 36. The LED lamps 370A to 370C may, forexample, turn on when the authentication succeeds and blink when theauthentication fails. As a separate method, the LED lamps 370A to 370Cmay, for example, be LEDs that emit both red light and green light, andmay turn green when the authentication succeeds and turn red when theauthentication fails. The LED lamps 370A to 370C are an example of thedisplay unit 37. The computation device 40 may, for example, be acomputer device including a CPU (Central Processing Unit). Thecomputation device 40 includes a memory unit, and by reading out andexecuting programs stored in the memory unit, performs the functions ofthe wearing detection unit 33, the wearing position determination unit34, the authentication unit 35 and the display control unit 36.

FIG. 4 is a first diagram for explaining the authentication methodaccording to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows the ring 10A as worn on the finger 3 of a user. In thepresent exemplary embodiment, vein authentication is performed by usingan image including a vein pattern that can be detected while the ring10A is worn at a predetermined position. The predetermined position may,for example, be a position at which the ring 10A is always worn.Therefore, there is a possibility that the authentication will notsucceed if authentication is performed, for example, while the ring 10Ais at the position indicated by the dashed lines.

Thus, in the present exemplary embodiment, by using, for example,detection results from the acceleration sensor 31, the wearing positiondetermination unit 34 determines whether or not the ring 10A is beingworn at the position where authentication is to be performed.Specifically, the wearing position determination unit 34 computes thedistance from the position at which the starting of the wearing actionof the ring 10A was detected to the position at which the completion ofthe wearing action of the ring 10A was detected, and the determinationis made by using this distance. The position of the ring 10A in theinsertion direction will be referred to as the lateral position. Next,the computation of the lateral position will be explained by referringto FIG. 5 .

FIG. 5 is a second diagram for explaining the authentication method inthe first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

A user puts the ring 10A on the finger 3 by moving it in the directionof the arrow R. The case in which, at this time, the ring 10A is to beworn with the side provided with the LED lamps 370A to 370C facingupwards and the back of the hand facing upwards will be explained. Eachof the electrostatic capacitive sensors 311A to 311D outputs, to thewearing detection unit 33, information indicating the detected distancebetween itself and a target. For example, when the ring 10A is atposition A, the electrostatic capacitive sensors 311A to 311D do notdetect any significant values indicating that the ring 10A is being wornon the finger 3. Next, when the ring 10A moves to position B, theelectrostatic capacitive sensor 311A detects the distance between theelectrostatic capacitive sensor 311A and the surface of the finger 3.The electrostatic capacitive sensor 311A outputs the detected distanceinformation to the wearing detection unit 33. Similarly, each of theelectrostatic capacitive sensors 311B to 311D outputs, to the wearingdetection unit 33, information regarding the detected distance betweenitself and the surface of the finger. Based on information obtained fromthe electrostatic capacitive sensors 311A to 311D, the wearing detectionunit 33 determines whether or not the ring 10A has reached apredetermined position on the finger 3 (for example, near the tip of thefinger 3). For example, when the distance information obtained by all ofthe electrostatic capacitive sensors 311A to 311D indicates a value thatis within a predetermined range indicating that the ring 10A is beingworn on the finger 3, the wearing detection unit 33 outputs, to thewearing position determination unit 34, a detection signal indicatingthat the insertion of the ring 10A has started.

Upon obtaining the detection signal, the wearing position determinationunit 34 starts measuring the distance of movement of the ring 10A bymeans of the acceleration sensor 310. Specifically, the wearing positiondetermination unit 34 obtains acceleration information from theacceleration sensor 310 at predetermined intervals in time, and therebycomputes the movement distance.

When the wearing action by the user stops and the acceleration detectedby the acceleration sensor 310 becomes a predetermined value (e.g.,zero), the wearing position determination unit 34 determines whether ornot the lateral position of the ring 10A is a predetermined lateralposition. Specifically, the wearing position determination unit 34reads, from the memory unit 38, predetermined distance information(determination criteria values) corresponding to the values when theuser is wearing the ring 10A at the authentication position. The wearingposition determination unit 34 compares the computed movement distancewith the predetermined distance that has been read out. If the computedmovement distance is equal to the predetermined distance that has beenread out (or if the computed movement distance is a value that is withina certain range including the predetermined distance), the wearingposition determination unit 34 determines that the ring 10A is at thepredetermined lateral position. If the computed movement distance is notequal to the predetermined distance that has been read out (or if thecomputed movement distance is not a value that is within a certain rangeincluding the predetermined distance), the wearing positiondetermination unit 34 determines that the ring 10A is not at thepredetermined lateral position. Additionally, the wearing positiondetermination unit 34 calculates the difference between the computedmovement distance and the predetermined distance that has been read out.The wearing position determination unit 34 outputs, to the displaycontrol unit 36, the determination result and information regarding thecalculated difference in the distance.

The display control unit 36 generates a display corresponding to theobtained determination result, using the LED lamps 370A to 370C. When,for example, the ring 10A is at a predetermined lateral position, thedisplay control unit 36 blinks the LED lamp 370B once in order toindicate that the lateral position is appropriate. When, for example,the ring 10A is not at the predetermined lateral position and thecomputed movement distance is less than the predetermined distance thathas been read out, the display control unit 36 blinks the LED lamp 370Aonce. When, for example, the computed movement distance exceeds thepredetermined distance that has been read out, the display control unit36 blinks the LED lamp 370C once. As a result thereof, the user canunderstand whether or not the movement distance of the ring 10A isappropriate. Furthermore, when the movement distance of the ring 10A isnot appropriate, the user is able to understand whether the movementamount is too little or too much. The user refers to this display toadjust the lateral position of the ring 10A to a position that isappropriate for authentication. When the user adjusts the lateralposition of the ring 10A, and for example, the acceleration detected bythe acceleration sensor 310 is indicated to be a predetermined value(e.g., zero), the wearing position determination unit 34 performslateral position determination once again. By repeatedly making suchadjustments, it is possible to correct the misalignment of the lateralposition of the ring 10A so as to be at a position that is appropriatefor authentication.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are third diagrams for explaining the authenticationmethod according to the first exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are section views of the ring 10A being worn by a user,as seen from the fingertip direction. In the example in FIG. 6A, theuser is wearing the ring 10A so that the side on which the LED lamps370A to 370C are provided faces upwards and the back of the hand facesupwards. In the example in FIG. 6B, the user is wearing the ring 10Awith the LED lamps 370A to 370C facing diagonally upwards and the backof the hand facing upwards. When performing vein authentication using anauthentication image (an image including the vein pattern of alegitimate user, pre-registered in the memory unit 38) captured with thefinger 3 and the ring 10A in the positional relationship shown in FIG.6A, there is a possibility that the authentication will not succeed evenwhen vein authentication is performed by collation with an imagecaptured by the imaging unit 32 when, for example, the finger 3 and thering 10A are in the positional relationship shown in FIG. 6B.

Therefore, in the present exemplary embodiment, in addition to thelateral position of the ring 10A, the wearing position determinationunit 34 also detects the direction in which the image including the veinpattern is captured. The wearing position determination unit 34determines whether or not the position of the ring 10A, in the directionof rotation about the central axis, when the ring 10A is worn, is aposition in which authentication is to be performed. Next, thecomputation of the rotation direction position will be explained byusing FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8A and 8B.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are fourth diagrams for explaining the authenticationmethod according to the first exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are section views of the ring 10A being worn by a user,when viewed from the fingertip direction. In the examples in FIGS. 7Aand 7B, the back of the user's hand is facing upwards. In the example inFIG. 7A, the user is wearing the ring 10A so that the side provided withthe LED lamps 370A etc. is facing upwards. In the example in FIG. 7B,the user is wearing the ring 10A on the finger 3 so that the LED lamps370A etc. are facing diagonally upwards (e.g., diagonally 45°).

In general, the cross-section of a user's finger 3 will often form anapproximate ellipse. Accordingly, when the ring 10A is worn, the sideportions of the finger make contact with the inner circumferentialsurface of the ring 10A, and gaps are formed between the upper and lowersurface of the finger and the inner circumferential surface of the ring10A, as shown in FIG. 7A. The distance between the electrostaticcapacitive sensor 311A and the finger is indicated as L1 a, and thedistance between the electrostatic capacitive sensor 311B and the fingeris indicated as L1 b. Additionally, the distance between theelectrostatic capacitive sensor 311C and the finger is indicated as L1c, and the distance between the electrostatic capacitive sensor 311D andthe finger is indicated as L1 d. In this case, in the situation shown inFIG. 7A, L1 a and L1 c are greater than L1 b and L1 d. On the otherhand, in the situation shown in FIG. 7B, L1 a, L1 b, L1 c and L1 d areeach about the same. Thus, it is possible to detect the rotationdirection position of the ring 10A by making use of the fact that,between the finger 3, which has an elliptical cross-section, and thering 10A, which has a perfectly circular inner circumference, there areportions in which gaps are formed and portions in which there is closecontact. The wearing position determination unit 34 determines whetheror not the rotation direction position of the ring 10A is a positionthat is appropriate for authentication, based on the distances betweenthe finger 3 and the electrostatic capacitive sensors 311A to 311Dprovided in the ring 10A.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are fifth diagrams for explaining the authenticationmethod according to the first exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating the case in which the ring 10A is wornso as to be tilted (rotated) by 45° in the direction opposite to that inFIG. 7B, using the case illustrated in FIG. 7A as the standard.

In the case of FIG. 8A, L1 a, L1 b, L1 c and L1 d are all about thesame, as in the case shown in FIG. 7B. Additionally, L1 a and L1 b inFIG. 8A are about the same as L1 a and L1 b in FIG. 7B. Therefore, whenconsidering only the distances from the finger 3 detected by theelectrostatic capacitive sensors 311A to 311D, there is a possibilitythat the wearing position determination unit 34 will not be able todetermine whether the rotation direction position of the ring 10A istilted to the right (FIG. 7B) or tilted to the left (FIG. 8A).Therefore, the wearing position determination unit 34 determines thetilt direction of the ring 10A based on the direction of accelerationdetected by the acceleration sensor 310 at the rotation directionposition at which authentication is to be performed (the state shown inFIG. 7A), as stored in the memory unit 38. For example, the memory unit38 may record coordinate information (coordinate information 1) for theacceleration direction detected by the acceleration sensor 310 in thestate shown in FIG. 7A. The wearing position determination unit 34obtains, from the acceleration sensor 310, coordinate information(coordinate information 2) for the acceleration direction detected bythe acceleration sensor 310, for example, in the state shown in FIG. 8A.The wearing position determination unit 34 uses the coordinateinformation 1 and the coordinate information 2 to calculate the anglebetween the vector indicated by coordinate information 1 and the vectorindicated by coordinate information 2. As a result thereof, the wearingposition determination unit 34 can determine in which direction and byhow much the ring 10A, in the state shown in FIG. 8A, is tilted from therotation direction position at which authentication is to be performed.The tilt of the ring 10A can also be detected by using a gyrosensor.

The rotation direction position at which vein authentication is to beperformed is set to be the position when the side of the ring 10A onwhich the LED lamps 370A etc. are provided is facing upwards and theback of the hand is facing upwards. In this case, the situation in whichthe user puts on the ring 10A in a tilted state will be explained. Inthis case, first, the wearing position determination unit 34 reads, fromthe memory unit 38, the distances (determination criteria values)between the electrostatic capacitive sensors 311A to 311D and the finger3 when the ring 10A is at the rotation direction position at which veinauthentication is to be performed. Regarding these values stored by thememory unit 38, for example, the distance between the electrostaticcapacitive sensor 311A and the finger 3 and the distance between theelectrostatic capacitive sensor 311C and the finger 3 are set to be Ly,and the distance between the electrostatic capacitive sensor 311B andthe finger 3 and the distance between the electrostatic capacitivesensor 311D and the finger 3 are set to be Lx (e.g., Lx=0). The wearingposition determination unit 34 compares these values that have been readout with L1 a, L1 b, L1 c and L1 d as detected by the electrostaticcapacitive sensors 311A to 311D. If, for example, L1 a and L1 c are notvalues within a predetermined range that can be considered to beapproximately Ly, then the wearing position determination unit 34determines that the rotation direction position of the ring 10A is notthe position at which authentication is to be performed. Next, by usinga value detected by the acceleration sensor 310, the wearing positiondetermination unit 34 determines the side to which the ring 10A istilted with respect to the rotation direction position at whichauthentication is to be performed. The wearing position determinationunit 34 outputs the determination results to the display control unit36.

The display control unit 36 uses the LED lamps 370A to 370C to generatea display corresponding to the obtained determination results. If, forexample, the ring 10A is at the position at which authentication is tobe performed, the display control unit 36 blinks the LED lamp 370Btwice. If, for example, the ring 10A is tilted to the right when facingthe page surface, the display control unit 36 blinks the LED lamp 370Atwice to indicate the direction in which the tilt should be corrected.Conversely, if the ring 10A is tilted to the left when facing the pagesurface, the display control unit 36 blinks the LED lamp 370C twice. Theuser adjusts the rotation direction position of the ring 10A to aposition appropriate for authentication in response to these displays.

FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating the situation when the ring 10A istilted further to the right, when facing the page surface, from thestate shown in FIG. 7B. In this case, due to the above-mentionedprocess, the display control unit 36 blinks the LED lamp 370A twice. Theuser adjusts the rotation direction position by rotating the ring 10A tothe left, when facing the page surface, in response to the display. Forexample, comparing the value of L1 a in the state shown in FIG. 7B withthe value of L1 a in the state shown in FIG. 8B, the value of L1 a inFIG. 7B is larger than the value of L1 a in FIG. 8B. In other words,when the user rotates the ring 10A to the left, when facing the pagesurface, from the state shown in FIG. 8B, the value of L1 a becomesgradually larger until the electrostatic capacitive sensor 311A reachesthe position at which authentication is to be performed. Similarly,regarding the value of L1 d, the value of L1 d becomes gradually smalleruntil the electrostatic capacitive sensor 311D reaches the position atwhich authentication is to be performed. In this way, by monitoring thechange in the distance between the electrostatic capacitive sensors 311Ato 311D within the range of a rotational angle of 90° with respect tothe rotation direction position at which authentication is to beperformed, the wearing position determination unit 34 is able todetermine the direction of rotation of the ring 10A by the user.

After determining that the ring 10A is tilted to the right when facingthe page surface, the wearing position determination unit 34 may, forexample, continue to monitor the value of L1 a as the value of L1 agradually increases. As long as the value is less than Ly, it isdetermined that the ring 10A is still tilted to the right. In this case,the display control unit 36 blinks the LED lamp 370A twice.Additionally, if the value of L1 a gradually increases, reaches Ly, thenbecomes gradually smaller, then the wearing position determination unit34 determines that the user has rotated the ring 10A past the positionat which authentication is to be performed. In this case, the displaycontrol unit 36 blinks the LED lamp 370C twice. In this way, the wearingposition determination unit 34 determines the rotation directionposition of the ring 10A, and the display unit displays the resultthereof, thereby allowing the user to correct misalignment of therotation direction position of the ring 10A so as to be at a positionthat is appropriate for authentication.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of the authentication methodaccording to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The explanation will center on the processing flow for aligning the ring10A with a position appropriate for vein authentication, by referring toFIG. 9 .

It is assumed that the method for putting on the ring 10A is describedin a manual or the like for the ring 10A, and that the user is to put onthe ring 10A in accordance with said method. The manual for the ring 10Amay, for example, include instructions to put on the ring 10A by keepingthe movement direction horizontal, with the side provided with the LEDlamps 370A etc. facing upwards. Additionally, the manual of the ring 10Amay provide instructions that the user should put on the ring 10A withthe back of the hand facing upwards.

First, the user starts to put the ring 10A on the finger 3. When thering 10A starts to be put on the finger 3, each of the electrostaticcapacitive sensors 311A to 311D detects the distance to the finger 3 andoutputs the distance information to the wearing detection unit 33. Thewearing detection unit 33 detects the starting of a wearing action forwearing the ring 10A on the finger 3 based on the distance informationobtained from the electrostatic capacitive sensors 311A to 311D (stepS11). For example, the wearing detection unit 33 detects the starting ofa wearing action when all of the obtained distance information becomes avalue that is within a predetermined range. Then, the wearing detectionunit 33 outputs, to the wearing position determination unit 34, a signalindicating that the wearing action has started. The horizontal positionof the ring 10A when the wearing detection unit 33 detects that thewearing action has started is the above-mentioned “predeterminedposition on the finger 3”. Upon obtaining the signal indicating that thewearing action has started, the wearing position determination unit 34starts to obtain acceleration information from the acceleration sensor310. The user moves the ring 10A to the predetermined wearing positionand temporarily halts the wearing action.

When the movement of the ring 10A stops, the wearing positiondetermination unit 34 uses acceleration information, which has beenobtained at predetermined intervals in time, to calculate the movementdistance in the horizontal direction (step S12).

Additionally, the wearing position determination unit 34 obtainsrotation direction position information (step S13). Specifically, thewearing position determination unit 34 obtains, from each of theelectrostatic capacitive sensors 311A to 311D, information regarding thedistance between the electrostatic capacitive sensors 311A to 311D andthe finger 3. Additionally, the wearing position determination unit 34obtains information indicating the tilt of the ring 10A from theacceleration sensor 310.

Next, the wearing position determination unit 34 determines whether ornot the wearing position of the ring 10A is correct (step S14). Thewearing position determination unit 34 reads, from the memory unit 38, adetermination criterion value for the movement distance of the ring 10A,and compares the determination criterion value that has been read outwith the horizontal movement distance computed in step S12.Additionally, the wearing position determination unit 34 reads, from thememory unit 38, determination criteria values for the distances betweeneach electrostatic capacitive sensor 311A to 311D and the finger 3, andcompares the determination criteria values that have been read out withthe distance information obtained from the electrostatic capacitivesensors 311A to 311D in step S13. If the horizontal movement distanceand the distances between each of the electrostatic capacitive sensors311A to 311D and the finger 3 are all equal to the determinationcriteria values that are set therefor (or if the distances are withinthe range that can be considered to be equivalent), then the wearingposition determination unit 34 determines that the wearing position ofthe ring 10A is correct (at the position at which authentication is tobe performed). If that is not the case, then the wearing positiondetermination unit 34 determines that the wearing position of ring 10Ais not correct. In other words, if at least one of the horizontalmovement distance and the distances between each of the electrostaticcapacitive sensors 311A to 311D and the finger 3 is not equal to the setdetermination criterion value, then the wearing position determinationunit 34 determines that the wearing position of the ring 10A is notcorrect. If the wearing position determination unit 34 determines thatthe wearing position of the ring 10A is not correct (step S14: No), thenthe wearing position determination unit 34 outputs, to the displaycontrol unit 36, information regarding the differences between thedetermination criteria values and the values indicating the wearingposition of the ring 10A. The display control unit 36 displays, on thedisplay unit 37, positioning information for improving the wearingposition (step S15). For example, if the horizontal movement distance ismisaligned, the wearing position determination unit 34 outputs, to thedisplay control unit 36, a value obtained by subtracting the computedmovement distance from the determination criterion value of the movementdistance.

If the obtained value is a positive value, then the display control unit36 blinks the LED lamp 370A once. The process is similar when therotational position is misaligned. The user adjusts the position of thering 10A by referring to this positioning information. The wearingposition determination unit 34 repeats the process, starting at stepS14, for determining whether or not the ring 10A, after the positionaladjustment, is at the correct position that is appropriate forauthentication.

If the wearing position determination unit 34 determines that thewearing position is correct (step S14: Yes), the wearing positiondetermination unit 34 outputs, to the authentication unit 35, a signalproviding instructions to perform an authentication process. Next, theauthentication unit 35 executes the authentication process (step S16).The authentication unit 35 instructs the imaging unit 32 (light source320 and TFT sensor 321) to capture an image. The authentication unit 35obtains the image captured by the imaging unit 32. The authenticationunit 35 reads, from the memory unit 38, an image (authentication image)including the vein pattern of a legitimate user. The authentication unit35 collates the image that has been read out with the image currentlycaptured by the imaging unit 32. If the similarity between the twoimages is higher than a predetermined threshold value, then theauthentication unit 35 determines that the authentication has succeeded.If the authentication succeeds (step S17: Yes), then the processing flowends. Furthermore, the authentication unit 35 outputs the authenticationresult to the control unit 15. Based on the authentication result, thecontrol unit 15 enables functions using various services making use ofpersonal information stored in the memory unit 11. The user is then ableto make use of payment services and the like using the ring 10A.

If the authentication fails (step S17: No), the control unit 15 outputsthe authentication result to the display control unit 36. The displaycontrol unit 36 displays an error message on the display unit 37.Specifically, the display control unit 36 lights the LED lamps 370A etc.by using a predetermined method indicating that the authentication hasfailed. Next, the authentication unit 35 determines whether or not toretry the authentication process. For example, the authentication unit35 reads out, from the memory unit 38, a preset number of retries, andcompares the number of retries that has been read out with the number oftimes the authentication process has been performed after the user puton the ring 10A. If the number of times the authentication process hasbeen performed is equal to or more than the predetermined number ofretries, then the authentication unit 35 determines that no furtherretries will be allowed (step S19: No), and the processing flow ends.The authentication unit 35 outputs the authentication result to thecontrol unit 15. Based on the authentication result, the control unit 15performs control so as to disable the functions using various servicesmaking use of personal information stored in the memory unit 11. Theuser is then not able to make use of payment services and the like usingthe ring 10A.

As long as the number of times the authentication process has beenperformed is equal to or less than the predetermined number of retries,the authentication unit 35 determines that a retry will be performed(step S19: Yes) and instructs the wearing position determination unit 34to retry authentication. The wearing position determination unit 34repeats the process beginning at step S14. When determining whether ornot the wearing position of the ring 10A is correct during a retry, thewearing position determination unit 34 may more strictly determine thewearing position than during the first determination. For example, thetolerance range for the misalignment in the movement distance and therotational position from the determination criteria values used duringthe second determination may be made narrower than the tolerance rangeused during the first determination, and the determination may beperformed using an even narrower tolerance range on the third retry. Asa result thereof, it is possible to capture an image including the veinpattern of the user at a more precise position, and to performauthentication by means of said image.

Up to this point, the case in which vein authentication is performed byaligning the wearing position of the ring 10A with a predeterminedlateral position and a predetermined rotation direction position(authentication method 1) has been explained. In the present exemplaryembodiment, an authentication image of the vein pattern captured fromone direction is encrypted and pre-registered, and authentication isperformed by collation with that authentication image. In the case ofthis method, when the user starts using the ring 10A, an authenticationimage, captured by the imaging unit 32 with the ring 10A worn at aposition at which the user normally wears the ring 10A, is registered inthe memory unit 38. Additionally, when capturing the authenticationimage for the first time, the ring 10A is worn with the back of the handfacing upwards and a predetermined surface of the ring 10A facingupwards, and the wearing position determination unit 34 records, in thememory unit 38, the distances between the electrostatic capacitivesensors 311A to 311D and the finger 3 at that wearing position.Additionally, the wearing position determination unit 34 uses thedetection results from the acceleration sensor 310 to compute thedistance from the position at which the wearing detection unit 33detects the start of the wearing action to the wearing position at whichthe ring 10A is normally worn, and records the distance in the memoryunit 38.

Additionally, the following method may also be employed as anotherauthentication method (authentication method 2). In other words, duringan initial setup for registering an authentication image andauthentication position information in the memory unit 38, the imagingunit 32 continuously captures an authentication image as the ring 10A isturned by one full circuit, while wearing the ring 10A at the lateralposition at which it is normally worn by the user. This is not limitedto cases in which an authentication image captured from allcircumferential directions over 360° is registered and, for example, itis possible to capture authentication images from multiple angles byturning the ring 10A, for example, 10° at a time. The memory unit 38stores an encrypted authentication image covering one full circuit (orcaptured from multiple angles) at the predetermined lateral position.Additionally, the wearing position determination unit 34 uses thedetection results from the acceleration sensor 310 to compute thedistance to the predetermined lateral position at which the usernormally wears the ring 10A, and records the information in the memoryunit 38. If an authentication image of one full circuit has beenobtained, in step S14 in FIG. 9 , the wearing position determinationunit 34 only uses the lateral position to determine whether or not thewearing position is correct. Additionally, the authentication unit 35performs the authentication process by collating the image captured bythe imaging unit 32 with each of the full-circuit authentication imagesstored in the memory unit 38. The image captured by the imaging unit 32during the initial setup may be recorded in the memory unit 38 inassociation with the detection result of the acceleration sensor 310 andthe distances between the respective electrostatic capacitive sensors311A to 311D and the finger 3 at the time the image was captured. Inthis case, in step S14 in FIG. 9 , the wearing position determinationunit 34 determines whether or not the wearing position is correct bydetermining only the lateral position. Additionally, in step S16, theauthentication unit 35 uses the detection result of the accelerationsensor 310 and the detection results of the electrostatic capacitivesensors 311A to 311D to read out, from the memory unit 38, theauthentication image registered in association with those values or theauthentication image associated with detection results that are within apredetermined range from those detection results, and collates thatauthentication image with the captured image of the user's finger 3. Asa result thereof, it is possible to reduce the processing load for thecollation process. Additionally, the authentication process can also beperformed in the case where authentication images are registered formultiple angles instead of one full circuit. By using thisauthentication method 2, the authentication unit 35 can perform theauthentication process regardless of the rotation direction position, orat multiple positions of the ring 10A when worn by the user.

As another authentication method (authentication method 3), it ispossible to employ the following method. In this method, at the time ofthe initial setup, an encrypted authentication image obtained bycapturing the finger 3 omnidirectionally over a predetermined lateralrange including the lateral position at which the ring 10A is normallyworn is registered in the memory unit 38. In the case of this method, instep S14 in FIG. 9 , the wearing position determination unit 34determines whether or not the wearing position is correct by determiningwhether or not the lateral position is included within the predeterminedlateral range over which the authentication image was captured.Additionally, the authentication unit 35 performs the authenticationprocess by collating the image captured by the imaging unit 32 with eachof the authentication images stored in the memory unit 38. Theauthentication image that was captured at the time of the initial setupmay be registered in the memory unit 38 in association with informationregarding the lateral position and the rotation direction position atthe time the ring 10A was worn, which corresponds to the authenticationimage. In this case, in step S16 in FIG. 9 , the authentication unit 35uses the detection result of the acceleration sensor 310 and thedetection results of the electrostatic capacitive sensors 311A to 311Dto compute the lateral position and the rotation direction position,reads out, from the memory unit 38, the authentication image registeredin association with those lateral and rotation direction positions orthe authentication image registered in association with detectionresults that are within a predetermined range from those lateral androtation direction positions, and collates those authentication imageswith the captured image of the user's finger 3. As a result thereof, itis possible to reduce the processing load for the collation process. Byusing this authentication method 3, the authentication unit 35 canperform the authentication process without being limited as to thewearing position of the ring 10A. This authentication method 3 is alsonot limited to obtaining an authentication image of one full circuitcaptured omnidirectionally, and it is possible to registerauthentication images captured from multiple angles.

<Other Examples of Wearing Position Determination>

Up to this point, examples wherein the wearing position of the ring 10Ais determined by means of the lateral position measured by theacceleration sensor 310, the distances between the electrostaticcapacitive sensors 311A to 311D and the finger 3, and the tilt of thering 10A measured by the acceleration sensor 310 have been explained. Asother methods, the wearing position may be determined by the followingmethods.

<Position Determination by Finger Surface Image>

In position determination by using a finger surface image, the veinauthentication position is determined by making use of the pattern ofwrinkles (skin patterns) on the skin of the finger. In the case of thismethod, a visible light source is provided on a surface facing the TFTsensor 321 in FIG. 3 , and the TFT sensor 321 captures an image of thesurface of the finger 3 while the ring 10A is being worn. The memoryunit 38 pre-stores a position determination image obtained by capturingan image of the surface of the finger 3 when the ring 10A is being worn.The wearing position determination unit 34 collates the positiondetermination image with an image of the skin pattern captured by theimaging unit 32 to determine whether or not the ring 10A is being wornat a position that is appropriate for performing authentication.

<Position Determination Using Pulse Sensor>

In position determination using a pulse sensor, a pulse sensor isprovided on the inner circumference of the ring 10A, and the pulse isdetected. The memory unit 38 stores an authentication image captured ata position at which the pulse sensor is able to detect a pulse. Thewearing position determination unit 34 determines that the ring 10A isworn at a position that is appropriate for performing authenticationwhen the pulse sensor is able to detect a pulse. As a different method,the pulse sensor may detect the pulse intensity, and the wearingposition determination unit 34 may determine that the ring 10A is beingworn at an appropriate position when the pulse intensity is apredetermined value. The position at which the pulse sensor is able todetect a pulse and the position at which the user normally wears thering 10A may be different. As an example in which authentication isperformed irrespective of the position at which the ring 10A is normallyworn, the following method may be employed. The position of the root ofa fingernail does not change. Therefore, an authentication imageincluding a vein pattern that can be captured when either end surface ofthe ring 10A is aligned with the position of the root of a fingernailmay be registered in the memory unit 38, and when performingauthentication, vein authentication may be performed by aligning thering 10A with the position of the root of the fingernail.

<Position Determination Using Pressure Sensor>

In position determination using a pressure sensor, a pressure sensor isprovided on the inner circumference of the ring 10A. The memory unit 38stores a pressure value (determination criterion value) detected by thepressure sensor when the ring 10A is being worn at the position at whichauthentication is to be performed. The wearing position determinationunit 34 determines that the ring 10A is being worn at a position that isappropriate for performing authentication when the pressure valuedetected by the pressure sensor is within a predetermined range withrespect to the determination criterion value.

<Position Determination Using Temperature Sensor>

Similarly, it is possible to provide a temperature sensor on the innercircumference of the ring 10A and to determine the position by means ofthe temperature. The memory unit 38 stores, as a determination criteriontemperature, the surface temperature of the finger 3 when the user iswearing the ring 10A. The wearing position determination unit 34determines that the ring 10A is being worn at a position that isappropriate for performing authentication when the temperature detectedby the temperature sensor is within a predetermined range of thedetermination criterion temperature.

<Position Determination Using Ultrasonic Sensor>

In position determination using an ultrasonic sensor, an ultrasonicsensor is provided on the ring 10A. By using an ultrasonic sensor, forexample, the distance between the surface of the finger 3 and a bone canbe detected by means of an echo when the finger 3 is irradiated withultrasonic waves. The wearing position determination unit 34 determinesthe rotation direction position of the ring 10A based on the distancebetween the surface and the bone in the finger 3 detected by theultrasonic sensor.

Other Examples

Infrared rays easily pass through at the positions of the finger joints.By making use of this property, the wearing position determination unit34 detects a finger joint position in accordance with the amount oflight received by the TFT sensor 321 while the user is moving the ring10A in the lateral direction. Additionally, the wearing positiondetermination unit 34 may determine the lateral position of the ring 10Aby computing the movement distance from the finger joint position byusing the detection results from the acceleration sensor 310.

The detection results by the various sensors used for positiondetermination mentioned here may also be used for authentication. Forexample, skin pattern authentication may be used instead of veinauthentication, or a combination thereof may be used.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, it is possible to use aring-type wearable terminal (ring 10A) that is compact enough that itdoes not get in the way even when worn on the body all of the time.Additionally, according to the authentication device of the presentexemplary embodiment, it is possible to authenticate whether or not auser who is wearing the ring 10A is a legitimate user by means of veinauthentication. Additionally, when performing vein authentication, thering 10A need to be worn at the position at which authentication is tobe performed. According to the authentication device 30A in the presentexemplary embodiment, it is possible to determine whether or not thewearing position of the ring 10A is the position at which authenticationis to be performed, and to provide support for the user to wear the ring10A at the appropriate position by providing guide displays indicatingthe appropriate wearing position.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

Herebelow, an authentication system according to a second exemplaryembodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference toFIGS. 10 and 11 .

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the authenticationsystem according to the second exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

As illustrated in FIG. 10 , the authentication system according to thepresent exemplary embodiment includes a wearable article 10B and adisplay device 20B. The wearable article 10B and the display device 20Bmay be connected so as to be able to communicate with each other. In theexample illustrated in FIG. 10 , the wearable article 10B includes amemory unit 11, a communication unit 12, a battery unit 13, a chargingunit 14, a control unit 15 and an authentication device 30B. Theauthentication device 30B includes a position detection unit 31, animaging unit 32, a wearing detection unit 33, a wearing positiondetermination unit 34, an authentication unit 35 and a memory unit 38.The functional units of the authentication system according to thesecond exemplary embodiment will be explained by appending the samereference symbols for parts that are the same as those in the firstexemplary embodiment. The wearable article 10B is, for example, aring-type wearable terminal. The specific structure of the wearablearticle 10B is the same as that of the wearable article 10A illustratedin FIG. 3 .

The display device 20B includes a display control unit 21, a displayunit 22, a communication unit 23 and a memory unit 24. The displaycontrol unit 21 displays, on the display unit 22, information that is tobe presented to the user, based on information received by thecommunication unit 23. The display unit 22 is a display that is combinedintegrally with an element having an input function, such as a touchpanel. The communication unit 23 communicates with the wearable article10B. The memory unit 24 stores various types of information. The displaydevice 20B is, for example, an electronic terminal such as a smartphoneor a tablet terminal. In the second exemplary embodiment, the displaydevice 20B displays authentication results and position determinationresults from the wearable article 10B. The user can adjust the wearingposition of the wearable article 10B by referring to the informationdisplayed by the display device 20B.

The operations of the second exemplary embodiment will be explained.When the user puts on the wearable article 10B, the authenticationdevice 30B determines whether or not the user wearing the wearablearticle 10B is a legitimate user. The processing in the authenticationdevice 30B is the same as that in the first exemplary embodiment.Specifically, the position detection unit 31 detects informationrelating to the wearing position, and the wearing position detectionunit 34 determines whether or not the wearing position of the wearablearticle 10B is the position at which authentication is to be performed.When the wearing position is determined to be the position at whichauthentication is to be performed, the authentication unit 35 uses animage captured by the imaging unit 32 to perform vein authentication inorder to perform authentication as to whether the user wearing thewearable article 10B is a legitimate user.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the wearing position determinationunit 34 outputs the wearing position determination result to thecommunication unit 12. Additionally, the authentication unit 35 outputsthe authentication result to the communication unit 12. Thecommunication unit 12 transmits this information to the display device20B. In the display device 20B, the communication unit 23 receives thisinformation from the wearable article 10B and outputs the information tothe display control unit 21. The display control unit 21 uses theinformation received from the wearable article 10B to generate a displayimage that is to be displayed on the display unit 22.

Additionally, using the case in which the wearable article 10B is a ringas the example, during the initial setup, the communication unit 12obtains an authentication image and information regarding the positionat which authentication is to be performed (such as informationregarding the predetermined lateral position and rotation directionposition) from the wearing position determination unit 34, and transmitsthe same to the display device 20B. In the display device 20B, thecommunication unit 23 receives this information relating to theauthentication position and writes the information into the memory unit24 for storage.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating display examples in the authenticationsystem according to the second exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

Upon determining, in step S14 in FIG. 9 , that the wearing position isincorrect, the wearing position determination unit 34 transmits computedlateral position and rotation direction position information, andinformation indicating that the determination of the wearing positionhas failed, to the display device 20B via the communication unit 12. Inthe display device 20B, the display control unit 21 generates an imageI, as illustrated in FIG. 11 , on the basis of the lateral and rotationdirection position information received from the wearable article 10B,and the lateral and rotation direction position information of theauthentication position stored by the memory unit 24, and displays theimage I on the display unit 22. The position P1 indicated by the dashedlines in FIG. 11 indicates the authentication position stored in thememory unit 24. The position P2 indicated by the solid lines shows theauthentication position at the current wearing position based on theinformation received from the wearable article 10B. The display controlunit 21 displays information for improving the wearing position of thewearable article 10B so as to be the position at which authentication isto be performed (FIG. 11 , arrows R1 and R2). The user can adjust thewearing position of the wearable article 10B by referring to thisdisplay.

If the authentication by the authentication unit 35 fails, the displaycontrol unit 21 makes the display unit 22 display a message such as:“Authentication failed”. During the authentication process by theauthentication unit 35, the display control unit 21 makes the displayunit 22 display a message such as: “Authenticating”. When retrying theauthentication process, the display control unit 21 makes the displayunit 22 display a message such as: “Retrying”. When the wearingdetection unit 33 detects that the wearing action has started, thedisplay control unit 21 makes the display unit 22 display a message suchas: “Wearing start detected”. Thus, in the present exemplary embodiment,the processing conditions in the authentication device 30B arecoordinated with the information displayed by the display device 20B. Asa result, it is possible to improve the convenience from when the userputs on the wearable article 10B until authentication is performed.

Next, the process for registering the authentication image of the veinpattern will be explained.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing an example of the method for registeringthe authentication image according to the second exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention.

First, the user performs a predetermined operation on the display unit22 so that a screen for accepting an authentication image registrationinstruction is displayed on the display unit 22. Additionally, the userwears the wearable article 10B at the position at which it is normallyworn. Next, the user performs an operation instructing the display unit22 to start authentication image registration. Then, the display unit 22accepts the operation instructing that the registration of theauthentication image should be started, and transmits, via thecommunication unit 23, a signal instructing the wearable article 10B toregister an authentication image. In the wearable article 10B, thecommunication unit 12 receives the authentication image registrationinstruction signal (step S21).

The communication unit 12 outputs a registration instruction signal tothe imaging unit 32. Next, the imaging unit 32 captures theauthentication image (step S22). Specifically, the authentication imageis an image including a vein pattern taken at a position at which thewearable article 10B is worn by the user. Next, the wearing positiondetermination unit 34 obtains position information for the wearingposition of the wearable article 10B (step S23). For example, thewearing position determination unit 34 uses the detection results fromthe acceleration sensor 310 to compute the distance from the position atwhich the wearing position detection unit 33 detected the start of thewearing action to the wearing position at which the wearable article 10Bis normally worn. Additionally, the wearing position determination unit34 obtains the distances to the finger 3 detected by the electrostaticcapacitive sensors 311A to 311D. Additionally, the wearing positiondetermination unit 34 obtains coordinate information for the detectionresults from the acceleration sensor 310. In this way, the wearingposition determination unit 34 obtains the lateral position and therotation direction position of the wearable article 10B. The wearingposition determination unit 34 records the obtained position informationin the memory unit 38. Next, the imaging unit 32 encrypts the capturedauthentication image and records the encrypted image in the memory unit38, in association with the already recorded position information (stepS24). As a result thereof, it is possible to register an authenticationimage captured from one direction, and to perform an authenticationprocess for a user wearing the wearable article 10B.

Third Exemplary Embodiment

Herebelow, an authentication system according to a third exemplaryembodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference toFIG. 13 .

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an authentication systemaccording to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 13 , the authentication system according to the presentexemplary embodiment includes a wearable article 10C and an informationprocessing device 20C. The wearable article 10C and the informationprocessing device 20C are connected so as to be able to communicate witheach other. The functional units of the authentication system accordingto the third exemplary embodiment will be explained by appending thesame reference symbols for parts that are the same as those in the firstexemplary embodiment. In FIG. 13 , the wearable article 10C includes amemory unit 11, a communication unit 12, a battery unit 13, a chargingunit 14, a control unit 15, a position detection unit 31 and an imagingunit 32.

The information processing device 20C includes a display control unit21, a display unit 22, a communication unit 23, a memory unit 24, awearing detection unit 33, a wearing position determination unit 34 andan authentication unit 35. The information processing device 20C is, forexample, an electronic terminal such as a smartphone or a tabletterminal. In the third exemplary embodiment, the information processingdevice 20C receives, from the wearable article 10C, an image used in theauthentication process and information relating to the wearing positionused for position determination. The information processing device 20Cuses the received information to perform processes for determining thewearing position of the wearable article 10C and performingauthentication as to whether or not the user is a legitimate user.Additionally, in the third exemplary embodiment, the memory unit 24 ofthe information processing device 20C stores an encrypted imageincluding biometric information of the user and various types ofinformation necessary for the authentication process

The operations of the third exemplary embodiment will be explained. Whenthe user puts on the wearable article 10C, the position detection unit31 detects information relating to the wearing position and transmitsthe information relating to the wearing position, via the communicationunit 12, to the information processing device 20C. At the informationprocessing device 20C, the communication unit 23 receives theinformation relating to the wearing position and outputs the informationto the wearing detection unit 33. The wearing detection unit 33 detectsthat the user has started a wearing action of the wearable article 10C.When the wearing detection unit 33 detects the start of the wearingaction, the communication unit 23 outputs, to the wearing positiondetermination unit 34, information relating to the wearing position,received from the wearable article 10C. Based on the informationrelating to the wearing position detected by the position detection unit31, the wearing position determination unit 34 determines whether or notthe wearing position of the wearable article 10C is the position atwhich authentication is to be performed. If it is determined that thewearing position of the wearable article 10C is not the position atwhich authentication is to be performed, the wearing positiondetermination unit 34 outputs the wearing position determination resultsto the display control unit 21. The display control unit 21 generates animage indicating that the wearing position should be adjusted, and makesthe display unit 22 display the image. If it is determined that thewearing position is the position at which authentication is to beperformed, the wearing position determination unit 34 notifies thewearable article 10C, via the communication unit 23, that theauthentication position is correct. In the wearable article 10C, thisnotification is received and the imaging unit 32 captures an imageincluding a vein pattern. The communication unit 12 transmits the imagecaptured by the imaging unit 32 to the information processing device20C. At the information processing device 20C, the communication unit 23obtains the image and outputs the image to the authentication unit 35.The authentication unit 35 performs an authentication process. Theauthentication unit 35 outputs the result of the authentication processto the display control unit 21. The display control unit 21 makes thedisplay unit 22 display the authentication result.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, it is possible to reducethe functions that are installed in the wearable article 10C and toreduce the processing load in the wearable article 10C. Additionally, itis possible to perform processes having a high load, such as wearingposition determination and authentication processes, by using theinformation processing device 20C, so the present exemplary embodimentis also appropriate for use, for example, with the above-mentionedauthentication method 2 and authentication method 3, which involve ahigh processing load.

The third exemplary embodiment may also be combined with the firstexemplary embodiment or the second exemplary embodiment. For example, anexample in which the ring 10A of the first exemplary embodiment iscombined with the information processing device 20C of the thirdexemplary embodiment will be explained. First, an authentication processis performed with the ring 10A, using authentication method 1. Ifauthentication fails even when the authentication is retried apredetermined number of times, the imaging unit 32 transmits thecaptured image to the information processing device 20C, and in theinformation processing device 20C, an authentication process isperformed by collating the image captured by the imaging unit 32, at theposition at which the ring 10A is being worn, with respective imagesincluding the vein patterns detected from multiple directions atpredetermined positions of the finger wearing the ring 10A, as inauthentication method 2 or authentication method 3.

Fourth Exemplary Embodiment

Herebelow, an authentication system according to a fourth exemplaryembodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference toFIGS. 14 and 15 .

The structure of the authentication system according to the fourthexemplary embodiment is the same structure as that of the secondexemplary embodiment or the third exemplary embodiment. Herebelow, theexplanation will be made by using the structure in the second exemplaryembodiment. Additionally, as the specific structure, it will be assumedthat the wearable article 10B has the same structure as that in FIG. 3 .

The authentication system according to the fourth exemplary embodimentreduces the burden of the user to align the position when putting on thewearable article 10B. According to this fourth exemplary embodiment, ifthe wearable article 10B is a ring-type wearable terminal, the user isable to perform authentication by aligning just the lateral position ofthe wearable article 10B. First, the authentication image registrationmethod in the present exemplary embodiment will be explained.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing an example of the authentication imageregistration method in the fourth exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

First, the user performs a predetermined operation on the display unit22 and causes the display unit 22 to display a screen for acceptinginstructions to register an authentication image. Additionally, the userwears the wearable article 10B at the position at which it is normallyworn. Next, the user performs an operation on the display unit 22providing instructions to start the registration of the authenticationimage. Then, the display unit 22 accepts the operation providinginstructions to start the registration of the authentication image, andtransmits a signal to the wearable article 10B, via the communicationunit 23, providing instructions to register the authentication image.Additionally, the display unit 22 generates a display prompting the userto rotate the wearable article 10B. In the wearable article 10B, thecommunication unit 12 receives the authentication image registrationinstruction signal (step S31). The communication unit 12 outputs aregistration instruction signal to the imaging unit 32. Next, theimaging unit 32 captures an authentication image (step S32).Specifically, the authentication image is an image including a veinpattern at the position at which the user is wearing the wearablearticle 10B. Additionally, the user rotates the wearable article 10B inthe circumferential direction of the finger while the imaging unit 32captures the authentication image. Next, the wearing positiondetermination unit 34 determines whether or not the imaging unit 32 hascaptured images from all circumferential directions at the wearingposition of the wearable article 10B (step S33). For example, thewearing position determination unit 34 determines whether or not thewearable article 10B has completed one full turn based on detectionvalues from the acceleration sensor 310. The images captured from allcircumferential directions are not limited to being images takenomnidirectionally over 360°, and may, for example, be images capturedfrom multiple angles turned 10° at a time. If the capturing of imagesfrom all circumferential directions is not completed (step S33: No),then the wearing position determination unit 34 notifies the displaydevice 20B, via the communication unit 12, that images have not beencaptured from all circumferential directions. In the display device 20B,the display control unit 21 displays, on the display unit 22, a messageprompting the user to rotate the wearable article 10B in thecircumferential direction of the finger, based on the notification (stepS34). Next, on the basis of the output of the acceleration sensor 310,the wearing position determination unit 34 determines whether or not therotation direction position of the wearable article 10B is a position atwhich the capturing of the authentication image has not been completed(step S35). If the rotational position of the wearable article 10B isnot a position at which the capturing of the image has not beencompleted (step S35: No), then the process returns to step S34 and theuser is again prompted to rotate the wearable article 10B. On the otherhand, if the rotational position of the wearable article 10B is aposition at which the capturing of the image has not been completed(step S35: Yes), then the process is repeated from step S32.Specifically, the wearing position determination unit 34 instructs theimaging unit 32 to capture images. The imaging unit 32 captures anauthentication image.

On the other hand, if it is determined, in step S33, that the capturingof the authentication images from all circumferential directions hasbeen completed (step S33: Yes), then the wearing position determinationunit 34 uses the detection results from the acceleration sensor 310 tocompute the movement distance from the position at which the wearingdetection unit 33 detected the start of the wearing action to thewearing position of the wearable article 10 (step S36). The wearingposition determination unit 34 records the computed position informationin the memory unit 38. Next, the imaging unit 32 encrypts the capturedauthentication image and records the encrypted image in the memory unit38 in association with the computed movement distance (step S37). Atthis time, the imaging unit 32 may record an authentication imagecaptured from each direction. As a different method, the imaging unit 32may record a three-dimensional image reconstructed from authenticationimages captured from all directions. In the above-mentioned explanation,the case in which authentication images are captured from allcircumferential directions has been explained, but the present exemplaryembodiment is not limited to such an example. For example, thearrangement may be such that images are captured over a rotational anglerange of 180° (a range of rotational angles from 0° to 180°), from theinner side of the finger to the back of the finger. As a result thereof,it is possible to register a row of authentication images captured fromall circumferential directions of the finger at the position at whichthe wearable article 10B is worn.

Next, by referring to FIG. 15 , the authentication process in the fourthexemplary embodiment will be explained while focusing on the processingflow for aligning the wearable article 10B at a position that isappropriate for vein authentication.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing an example of the authentication methodaccording to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

It is assumed that the user is putting on the wearable article 10B withthe back of the hand facing upwards, while keeping the movementdirection of the wearable article 10B horizontal.

First, the user starts putting the wearable article 10B on the finger.When the wearable article 10B starts being put on the finger, each ofthe electrostatic capacitive sensors 311A to 311 D detect the distanceto the finger and output the distance information to the wearingdetection unit 33. The wearing detection unit 33 detects the start ofthe wearing action of the wearable article 10B on the finger 3 based onthe distance information obtained from the electrostatic capacitivesensors 311A to 311D (step S311). For example, the wearing detectionunit 33 detects the start of the wearing action when all of the obtainedvalues of the distance information are within a predetermined range.Then, the wearing detection unit 33 outputs, to the wearing positiondetermination unit 34, a signal indicating that the wearing action hasstarted. Upon obtaining the signal indicating that the wearing actionhas started, the wearing position determination unit 34 starts obtainingacceleration information from the acceleration sensor 310. The usermoves the wearable article 10B to the predetermined wearing position andtemporarily halts the wearing action.

When the movement of the wearable article 10B stops, the wearingposition determination unit 34 uses acceleration information obtained atpredetermined time intervals to compute the horizontal movement distance(step S312).

Next, the wearing position determination unit 34 determines whether ornot the wearing position of the wearable article 10B is correct (stepS313). The wearing position determination unit 34 reads out, from thememory unit 38, the movement distance (determination criterion value) ofthe wearable article 10B recorded in association with the authenticationimage at the time of registration of the authentication image. Thewearing position determination unit 34 compares the movement distancethat has been read out with the horizontal movement distance computed instep S312. If the horizontal movement distance is equal to thedetermination criterion value or if it is within a range that can beconsidered to be equivalent, then the wearing position determinationunit 34 determines that the wearing position of the wearable article 10Bis correct (at the position at which authentication is to be performed).If that is not the case, then the wearing position determination unit 34determines that the wearing position of the wearable article 10B is notcorrect. If it is determined that the wearing position of the wearablearticle 10B is not correct (step S313: No), then the wearing positiondetermination unit 34 outputs, to the display control unit 36,information regarding the difference between the determination criterionvalue and a value indicating the wearing position of the wearablearticle 10B. The display control unit 36 displays, on the display unit37, positioning information for improving the wearing position (stepS314). Specifically, the wearing position determination unit 34transmits the computed horizontal movement distance information to thedisplay unit 20B via the communication unit 12. In the display device20B, the display control unit 21 generates an image (positioninginformation) indicating the amount of misalignment in the wearingposition of the wearable article 10B and displays the image on thedisplay unit 22. The user adjusts the position of the wearable article10B by referring to this positioning information. After the positionaladjustment, the wearing position determination unit 34 repeats theprocess from step S313 to determine whether or not the wearing positionof the wearable article 10B is the correct position which is appropriatefor authentication.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the wearing position iscorrect (step S313: Yes), the wearing position determination unit 34outputs, to the authentication unit 35, a signal providing instructionsto carry out the authentication process. Next, the authentication unit35 performs the authentication process (step S315). The authenticationunit 35 instructs the imaging unit 32 (light source 320 and TFT sensor321) to capture an image. The authentication unit 35 obtains theauthentication image captured by the imaging unit 32. The authenticationunit 35 reads out, from the memory unit 38, multiple authenticationimages obtained by capturing the vein pattern of a legitimate user fromall circumferential directions, and collates the respectiveauthentication images with the image currently captured by the imagingunit 32. If the similarity between the currently captured image and anyof the images among the authentication images is higher than apredetermined threshold value, then the authentication unit 35determines that the authentication has succeeded. If the authenticationsucceeds (step S316: Yes), the processing flow ends. The authenticationunit 35 outputs the authentication results to the control unit 15. Basedon the authentication results, the control unit 15 enables the functionsusing various services making use of personal information stored in thememory unit 11. The user is then able to make use of payment servicesand the like using the wearable article 10B.

If the authentication fails (step S316: No), the authentication unit 35transmits to the display device 20B, via the communication unit 12,information indicating that the authentication has failed. In thedisplay device 20B, the display control unit 21 displays, on the displayunit 22, an error message such as: “Authentication failed. Will retry.”(step S317). Next, the authentication unit 35 determines whether or notto retry the authentication process. For example, the authenticationunit 35 reads out a preset number of retries from the memory unit 38,and compares the number of retries that has been read out with thenumber of times the authentication process has been performed since theuser put on the wearable article 10B on the current occasion. If thenumber of times the authentication process has been performed is equalto or greater than the predetermined number of retries, then theauthentication unit 35 determines that no further retries will beallowed (step S318: No), and the processing flow ends. Theauthentication unit 35 outputs the authentication results to the controlunit 15. Based on the authentication results, the control unit 15performs control to disable the functions using various services makinguse of personal information stored in the memory unit 11.

The user then becomes unable to make use of payment services and thelike using the wearable article 10B. Additionally, the authenticationunit 35 transmits the authentication results to the display device 20Bvia the communication unit 12. In the display device 20B, the displaycontrol unit 21 displays, on the display unit 22, an error message suchas: “Authentication failed.”

If the number of times that the authentication process was performed iswithin the predetermined number of retries, then the authentication unit35 determines that authentication will be retried (step S318: Yes), andthe authentication unit 35 instructs the wearing position determinationunit 34 to retry the authentication. Then, the wearing positiondetermination unit 34 repeats the process from step S313.

Thus, according to the fourth exemplary embodiment, the imaging unit 32stores authentication images corresponding to all circumferentialdirections at the position at which the user is wearing the wearablearticle 10. As a result thereof, the authentication unit 35 can performvein authentication without requiring the position of the wearablearticle 10 to be aligned in the rotational direction. For example,according to the present exemplary embodiment, there is no need to alignthe rotation direction position of the wearable article 10B, so there isno need to provide any marks for aligning the wearable article 10B inthe rotational direction.

Fifth Exemplary Embodiment

Herebelow, an authentication system according to a fifth exemplaryembodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference toFIGS. 16 and 17 .

The structure of the authentication system according to the fifthexemplary embodiment is the same structure as that of the secondexemplary embodiment or the third exemplary embodiment. Herebelow, theexplanation will be made by using the structure in the second exemplaryembodiment. Additionally, as the specific structure, it will be assumedthat the wearable article 10B has the same structure as that in FIG. 3 .

The authentication system according to the fifth exemplary embodimentreduces the burden of the user to align the position when putting on thewearable article 10B. According to this fifth exemplary embodiment, ifthe wearable article 10B is a ring-type wearable terminal, the user isable to perform authentication by aligning just the rotation directionposition of the wearable article 10B. First, the authentication imageregistration method in the present exemplary embodiment will beexplained.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing an example of the authentication imageregistration method in the fifth exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

First, the user performs a predetermined operation on the display unit22 and causes the display unit 22 to display a screen for acceptinginstructions to register an authentication image. Additionally, the userputs on the wearable article 10B further towards the fingertip than theposition at which the wearable article 10B is normally worn. Next, theuser performs an operation on the display unit (reception unit) 22providing instructions to start the registration of the authenticationimage. Then, the display unit 22 accepts the operation providinginstructions to start the registration of the authentication image, andtransmits a signal to the wearable article 10B, via the communicationunit 23, providing instructions to register the authentication image.Additionally, the display unit 22 provides a display prompting the userto move the wearable article 10B in the direction of the originalwearing position. In the wearable article 10B, the communication unit 12receives the authentication image registration instruction signal (stepS41). The communication unit 12 outputs the registration instructionsignal to the imaging unit 32. Next, the imaging unit 32 captures theauthentication image (step S42). Specifically, the authentication imageis an image including a vein pattern at the position at which the useris wearing the wearable article 10B. Additionally, the user slowly movesthe wearable article 10B in the direction of the base of the fingerwhile the imaging unit 32 captures the authentication image. Next, thewearing position determination unit 34 determines whether or not theimaging unit 32 has captured images covering a predetermined range atthe wearing position of the wearable article 10B (step S43). Forexample, the wearing position determination unit 34 uses the detectionresults of the acceleration sensor 310 to compute the distance from thewearing position of the wearable article 10B when the capturing of theauthentication image was started to the current wearing position of thewearable article 10B. Then, the wearing position determination unit 34compares the computed distance with a value (for example, 1.5 cm)indicating a predetermined range recorded in the memory unit 38. If thecapturing of images over the predetermined range is not completed (stepS43: No), then the wearing position determination unit 34 notifies thedisplay device 20B, via the communication unit 12, that images have notbeen captured for the predetermined range. In the display device 20B,the display control unit 21 displays, on the display unit 22, a messageprompting the user to move the wearable article 10B towards the base ofthe finger, based on the notification (step S44). Next, on the basis ofthe detection value of the acceleration sensor 310, the wearing positiondetermination unit 34 determines whether or not the lateral position ofthe wearable article 10B is a position at which the capturing of theauthentication image has not been completed (step S45). If the lateralposition of the wearable article 10B is not a position at which thecapturing of the authentication image has not been completed (step S45:No), then the process returns to step S44 and the wearing positiondetermination unit 34 again prompts the user to move the wearablearticle 10B. On the other hand, if the lateral position of the wearablearticle 10B is a position at which the capturing of the image has notbeen completed (step S45: Yes), then the process is repeated from stepS42. Specifically, the wearing position determination unit 34 instructsthe imaging unit 32 to capture images. The imaging unit 32 then capturesauthentication images.

On the other hand, if it is determined, in step S43, that the capturingof images over the predetermined range has been completed (step S43:Yes), then the wearing position determination unit 34 obtains thedistances from the finger detected by the electrostatic capacitivesensors 311A to 311D. Additionally, the wearing position determinationunit 34 obtains coordinate information for the detection results fromthe acceleration sensor 310. The wearing position determination unit 34records rotation direction position information thereof in the memoryunit 38. Next, the imaging unit 32 encrypts the captured authenticationimage and records the encrypted authentication image in the memory unit38, in association with the already recorded rotation direction positioninformation (step S47). As a result thereof, it is possible to registeran authentication image for one row, in the insertion direction, of thewearable article 10B, captured from one direction.

Next, by referring to FIG. 17 , the authentication process in the fifthexemplary embodiment will be explained while focusing on the processingflow for aligning the wearable article 10B at a position that isappropriate for vein authentication.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing an example of the authentication methodaccording to the fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

It is assumed that the user is putting on the wearable article 10B withthe back of the hand facing upwards, while keeping the movementdirection of the wearable article 10B horizontal. Additionally, thewearable article 10B has a mark appended thereto, and the user puts onthe wearable article 10B, for example, with the mark facing upwards.

First, the user starts putting the wearable article 10B on the finger.When the wearable article 10B starts being put on the finger, each ofthe electrostatic capacitive sensors 311A to 311D detect the distance tothe finger and output the distance information to the wearing detectionunit 33. The wearing detection unit 33 detects the start of the wearingaction of the wearable article 10B on the finger based on the distanceinformation obtained from the electrostatic capacitive sensors 311A to311D (step S411). For example, the wearing detection unit 33 detects thestart of the wearing action when all of the values of the obtaineddistance information are within a predetermined range. Then, the wearingdetection unit 33 outputs, to the wearing position determination unit34, a signal indicating that the wearing action has started. When thesignal indicating that the wearing action has started is obtained, thewearing position determination unit 34 starts obtaining accelerationinformation from the acceleration sensor 310. The user moves thewearable article 10B to the wearing position and temporarily halts thewearing action.

When the movement of the wearable article 10B stops, the wearingposition determination unit 34 obtains rotation direction positioninformation (step S412). For example, the distances to the finger 3detected by the electrostatic capacitive sensors 311A to 311D areobtained. Additionally, the wearing position determination unit 34obtains coordinate information of the detection results from theacceleration sensor 310.

Next, the wearing position determination unit 34 determines whether ornot the wearing position of the wearable article 10B is correct (stepS413). The wearing position determination unit 34 reads out, from thememory unit 38, rotation direction position information (determinationcriteria values) of the wearable article 10B recorded in associationwith the authentication image at the time of registration of theauthentication image. The wearing position determination unit 34compares the determination criteria values that have been read out withthe rotation direction position information obtained in step S412. Forexample, the wearing position determination unit 34 reads out, from thememory unit 38, the determination criteria values for the distancesbetween the respective electrostatic capacitive sensors 311A to 311D andthe finger 3, and compares the determination criteria values that havebeen read out with the distance information obtained from the respectiveelectrostatic capacitive sensors 311A to 311D in step S412. If thehorizontal movement distance and the distances between the respectiveelectrostatic capacitive sensors 311A to 311D and the finger are allequal to the determination criteria values that are set respectivelytherefor, or are within the ranges that can be considered to beequivalent thereto, then the wearing position determination unit 34determines that the wearing position of the wearable article 10B iscorrect. If that is not the case, then the wearing positiondetermination unit 34 determines that the wearing position of thewearable article 10B is not correct. If it is determined that thewearing position of the wearable article 10B is not correct (step S413:No), then the wearing position determination unit 34 outputs, to thedisplay control unit 36, information regarding the difference betweenthe determination criteria values and values indicating the wearingposition of the wearable article 10B. The display control unit 36displays, on the display unit 37, positioning information for improvingthe wearing position (step S414). Specifically, the wearing positiondetermination unit 34 transmits the rotation direction positioninformation to the display unit 20B via the communication unit 12. Inthe display device 20B, the display control unit 21 generates an image(positioning information) indicating the amount of misalignment of thewearing position of the wearable article 10B and displays the image onthe display unit 22. The user adjusts the wearing position of thewearable article 10B by referring to this positioning information. Afterthe positional adjustment, the wearing position determination unit 34repeats the process from step S413 to determine whether or not thewearing position of the wearable article 10B is the correct positionthat is appropriate for authentication.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the wearing position iscorrect (step S413: Yes), the wearing position determination unit 34outputs, to the authentication unit 35, a signal providing instructionsto carry out the authentication process. Next, the authentication unit35 performs the authentication process (step S415). The authenticationunit 35 instructs the imaging unit 32 (light source 320 and TFT sensor321) to capture an image. The authentication unit 35 obtains theauthentication image captured by the imaging unit 32. The authenticationunit 35 reads out, from the memory unit 38, each of a row ofauthentication images, in the insertion direction, including a veinpattern obtained by capturing images over a predetermined range on alegitimate user. The authentication unit 35 collates the respectiveauthentication images with the image currently captured by the imagingunit 32. If the similarity between the currently captured image and anyof the images among the authentication images is higher than apredetermined threshold value, then the authentication unit 35determines that the authentication has succeeded. If the authenticationsucceeds (step S416: Yes), the processing flow ends. The authenticationunit 35 outputs the authentication results to the control unit 15. Basedon the authentication results, the control unit 15 enables the functionsusing various services making use of personal information stored in thememory unit 11. The user is then able to make use of payment servicesand the like using the wearable article 10B.

If the authentication fails (step S416: No), the authentication unit 35transmits, to the display device 20B, via the communication unit 12,information indicating that the authentication has failed. In thedisplay device 20B, the display control unit 21 displays, on the displayunit 22, an error message such as: “Authentication failed. Will retry.”(step S417). Next, the authentication unit 35 determines whether or notto retry the authentication process. For example, the authenticationunit 35 reads out a preset number of retries from the memory unit 38,and compares the number of retries that has been read out with thenumber of times the authentication process has been performed since theuser put on the wearable article 10B on the current occasion. If thenumber of times the authentication process has been performed is equalto or greater than the predetermined number of retries, then theauthentication unit 35 determines that no further retries will beallowed (step S418: No) and the processing flow ends. The authenticationunit 35 outputs the authentication results to the control unit 15. Basedon the authentication results, the control unit 15 performs control todisable the functions using various services making use of personalinformation stored in the memory unit 11. The user then becomes unableto make use of payment services and the like using the wearable article10B. Additionally, the authentication unit 35 transmits theauthentication results to the display device 20B via the communicationunit 12. In the display device 20B, the display control unit 21displays, on the display unit 22, an error message such as:“Authentication failed.”

If the number of times that the authentication process was performed iswithin the predetermined number of retries, then the authentication unit35 determines that authentication will be retried (step S418: Yes), andinstructs the wearing position determination unit 34 to retry theauthentication. The wearing position determination unit 34 repeats theprocess from step S413.

Thus, according to the fifth exemplary embodiment, the imaging unit 32stores authentication images corresponding to all circumferentialdirections at the position at which the user wears the wearable article10. As a result thereof, the authentication unit 35 can perform veinauthentication without requiring the rotation direction position of thewearable article 10 to be aligned.

Sixth Exemplary Embodiment

Herebelow, an authentication system according to a sixth exemplaryembodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference toFIGS. 18 to 20 .

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of the authenticationsystem according to the sixth exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

The authentication system according to the sixth exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 18 , includes a wearablearticle 10F and a display device 20F. The wearable article 10F and thedisplay device 20F are connected so as to be able to communicate witheach other.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 18 , the wearable article 10Fincludes a memory unit 11, a communication unit 12, a battery unit 13, acharging unit 14, a control unit 15 and an authentication device 30F.The authentication device 30F includes an imaging unit 32, anauthentication unit 35 and a memory unit 38. The functional units of theauthentication system according to the sixth exemplary embodiment willbe explained by appending the same reference symbols for parts that arethe same as those in the first exemplary embodiment. The wearablearticle 10F is, for example, a ring-type wearable terminal. Theauthentication device 30F of the sixth exemplary embodiment, unlikethose of the first to fifth exemplary embodiments, has a structure inwhich a sensor or the like that is used to detect the wearing positionis not provided.

The display device 20F includes a display control unit 21, a displayunit 22, a communication unit 23 and a memory unit 24. The displaycontrol unit 21 displays, on the display unit 22, information to bepresented to the user, based on information received by thecommunication unit 23. The display unit 22 is a display that isintegrally combined with an element provided with an input function,such as a touch panel. The communication unit 23 communicates with thewearable article 10F. The memory unit 24 stores various types ofinformation. The display device 20F is, for example, an electronicterminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. The display device20F displays authentication results or position determination resultsfor the wearable article 10F. The user can adjust the wearing positionof the wearable article 10F by referring to the information displayed bythe display device 20F.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing an example of the authentication imageregistration method in the sixth exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

First, the user performs a predetermined operation on the display unit22 and causes the display unit 22 to display a screen for acceptinginstructions to register an authentication image. Additionally, the userwears the wearable article 10F at the position at which it is normallyworn. Next, the user performs an operation on the display unit 22providing instructions to start the registration of the authenticationimage. Then, the display unit 22 accepts the operation providinginstructions to start the registration of the authentication image, andtransmits a signal to the wearable article 10F, via the communicationunit 23, providing instructions to register the authentication image.Additionally, the display unit 22 provides a display prompting the userto rotate the wearable article 10F. In the wearable article 10F, thecommunication unit 12 receives the authentication image registrationinstruction signal (step S51). The communication unit 12 outputs aregistration instruction signal to the imaging unit 32. Next, theimaging unit 32 captures an authentication image (step S52). Theauthentication image is an image including a vein pattern at theposition at which the user is wearing the wearable article 10F.Additionally, the user rotates the wearable article 10F in thecircumferential direction of the finger while the imaging unit 32captures the authentication image. Next, the imaging unit 32 determineswhether or not images have been captured from all circumferentialdirections at the wearing position of the wearable article 10F (stepS53). For example, the imaging unit 32 determines that the images havebeen captured from all circumferential directions upon capturing animage that is similar enough to be considered to be the same as an imagecaptured immediately after the capturing of images was started. Theimages captured from all circumferential directions are not limited tobeing images taken omnidirectionally over 360°, and may, for example, beimages captured from multiple angles turned 10° at a time. If thecapturing of images from all circumferential directions is not completed(step S53: No), then the imaging unit 32 notifies the display device20F, via the communication unit 12, that images have not been capturedfrom all circumferential directions. In the display device 20F, thedisplay control unit 21 displays, on the display unit 22, a messageprompting the user to rotate the wearable article 10F in thecircumferential direction of the finger, based on the notification (stepS54). Then, the process from step S52 is repeated.

On the other hand, if it is determined, in step S53, that the capturingof the authentication images from all circumferential directions hasbeen completed (step S53: Yes), then the imaging unit 32 notifies thedisplay device 20F, via the communication unit 12, that the capturing ofimages from all circumferential directions has been completed. In thedisplay device 20F, the display control unit 21 displays, on the displayunit 22, choices for the next action to be taken, based on thenotification (step S56). Specifically, the display unit 22 generates adisplay prompting the user to select whether to continue or to end theauthentication image registration process. If the display unit 22accepts an action, from the user, indicating that the registrationprocess is to be continued (step S57: No), the display control unit 21displays, on the display unit 22, a message prompting the user to movethe wearable article 10F in the lateral direction (towards the base ofthe finger) (step S571). Additionally, the display control unit 21 alsodisplays, on the display unit 22, an image for accepting an inputoperation of instructions to resume imaging. Seeing this display, theuser moves the wearable article 10F towards the base of the finger.Next, after moving the wearable article 10F laterally, the user performsthe input operation providing instructions to resume imaging. Thedisplay unit 22 accepts the input operation providing instructions toresume imaging, and transmits an imaging resumption instruction signalto the wearable article 10F, via the communication unit 23 (step S572).In the wearable article 10F, the communication unit 12 receives theresumption instruction signal and outputs the signal to the imaging unit32. Then, the authentication system repeats the process from step S52.

If the display unit 22 accepts an input operation providing instructionsto end the registration process, that is, if the display unit 22accepts, from the user, an action choosing to end the registrationprocess (step S57: Yes), the display unit 22 transmits an imaging endinstruction signal to the wearable article 10F, via the communicationunit 23 (step S58). In the wearable article 10F, the communication unit12 receives the end instruction signal and outputs the signal to theimaging unit 32. The imaging unit 32 encrypts the capturedauthentication image and records the encrypted image in the memory unit38 (step S59). At this time, the imaging unit 32 may record anauthentication image captured from each direction. As a differentmethod, the imaging unit 32 may record a three-dimensional imagereconstructed from authentication images captured from all directions.

In the above-described explanation, the case in which the imaging unit32 captures authentication images from all circumferential directionshas been explained, but the present exemplary embodiment is not limitedto such an example. For example, the imaging unit 32 may capture imagesover a rotational angle range of 180°, from the inside of the finger tothe back of the finger.

As a result thereof, the imaging unit 32 stores authentication imagescovering the range over which the user can wear the wearable article 10.

Next, the authentication process in the sixth exemplary embodiment willbe explained with reference to FIG. 20 .

FIG. 20 is a flow chart illustrating an example of the authenticationmethod according to the sixth exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

First, the user puts the wearable article 10F on the finger.Additionally, the user performs a predetermined operation on the displayunit 22 and makes the display unit display a screen for accepting anauthentication process start instruction. Next, the user performs anoperation instructing the display unit 22 to start the authenticationprocess. Then, the display unit 22 accepts the operation providinginstructions to start the authentication process, and transmits to thewearable article 10F, via the communication unit 23, a signal providinginstructions to start the authentication process. In the wearablearticle 10F, the communication unit 12 receives the signal providinginstructions to start the authentication process. The communication unit12 outputs the received signal to the authentication unit 35. Next, theauthentication unit 35 performs the authentication process (step S512).The authentication unit 35 instructs the imaging unit 32 (light source320 and TFT sensor 321) to capture an image. The authentication unit 35obtains the authentication image captured by the imaging unit 32. Theauthentication unit 35 reads out, from the memory unit 38,authentication images covering the range over which the user can wearthe wearable article 10, and collates the respective authenticationimages with the image currently captured by the imaging unit 32. If thesimilarity between the currently captured image and any of the imagesamong the authentication images is higher than a predetermined thresholdvalue, then the authentication unit 35 determines that theauthentication has succeeded. If the authentication succeeds (step S513:Yes), the processing flow ends. The authentication unit 35 outputs theauthentication results to the control unit 15. Based on theauthentication results, the control unit 15 enables the functions usingvarious services making use of personal information stored in the memoryunit 11. The user is then able to make use of payment services and thelike using the wearable article 10F.

If the authentication fails (step S513: No), the authentication unit 35transmits, to the display device 20F, via the communication unit 12,information indicating that the authentication has failed. In thedisplay device 20F, the display control unit 21 displays, on the displayunit 22, an error message such as: “Authentication failed. Will retry.”(step S514). Next, the authentication unit 35 determines whether or notto retry the authentication process. For example, the authenticationunit 35 reads out a preset number of retries from the memory unit 38,and compares the number of retries that has been read out with thenumber of times the authentication process has been performed since theuser put on the wearable article 10F on the current occasion. If thenumber of times the authentication process has been performed is equalto or greater than the predetermined number of retries, then theauthentication unit 35 determines that no further retries will beallowed (step S515: No) and the processing flow ends. The authenticationunit 35 outputs the authentication results to the control unit 15. Basedon the authentication results, the control unit 15 performs control todisable the functions using various services making use of personalinformation stored in the memory unit 11. The user then becomes unableto make use of payment services and the like using the wearable article10F. Additionally, the authentication unit 35 transmits theauthentication results to the display device 20F via the communicationunit 12. In the display device 20F, the display control unit 21displays, on the display unit 22, an error message such as:“Authentication failed.”

If the number of times the authentication process has been performed iswithin the predetermined number of retries, then the authentication unit35 determines that the authentication should be retried (step S515:Yes), and the process from step S512 is repeated.

Thus, according to the sixth exemplary embodiment, the authenticationunit 35 can perform the authentication without positioning the wearablearticle 10F.

Seventh Exemplary Embodiment

Herebelow, an authentication system according to a seventh exemplaryembodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference toFIGS. 21 to 24 .

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wearable articleaccording to the seventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 shows a wearable article 10D (hereinafter referred to as contactlens 10D) which is a contact lens type wearable terminal. The contactlens 10D includes an authentication device 30D and a health statedetermination device 50D. When a user wears the contact lens 10D, thehealth state determination device 50D detects the components in theuser's tears to determine the heath state or disease state of the user.The health state determination unit 50D includes a communication unitand transmits the determination results to an information processingdevice (not illustrated) that records the health state or disease stateof the user, and the information processing device receives thedetermination results and records the results in a memory unit. The useris made aware of changes in the health state or the disease state on thebasis of the recording of the determination results stored in theinformation processing device, and can make use of the results in healthmanagement. In this case, if a person other than a legitimate user wearsthe contact lens 10D, there is a possibility that information indicatinga different person's health state will be mixed into the records in theinformation processing device. Therefore, the authentication device 30Ddetermines whether or not a person who has worn the contact lens 10D isa legitimate user, by means of iris authentication.

The authentication device 30D, as in the case of the first exemplaryembodiment, includes a position detection unit 31, an imaging unit 32, awearing detection unit 33, a wearing position determination unit 34, anauthentication unit 35, a display control unit 36, a display unit 37 anda memory unit 38. The imaging unit 32 includes a light source. A markerdiagram is formed at a predetermined position on the surface of thecontact lens 10D. This marker diagram emits light upon being struck bylight from a light source. The marker diagram is formed, for example,from a fluorescent dye, a light guide, an LCD (liquid crystal display),an LED or the like. When the marker diagram is formed from a lightguide, the entire marker diagram can be made to emit light when lightfrom a light source strikes at least a portion of the marker diagram.When the marker diagram is formed from an LED, the marker diagram can bemade to emit light even when not struck by light from a light source.

The functions of the seventh exemplary embodiment will be explained.FIG. 22 is a flow chart indicating an example of the authenticationmethod according to the seventh exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. When the user puts the contact lens 10D in the eye, theposition detection unit 31 detects the starting of the contact lens 10Dwearing action by receiving a signal from the health state determinationdevice 50D detecting that the contact lens 10D has worn (step S61). Thehealth state determination device 50D is able to detect that the wearingaction has started, for example, by receiving signals indicating thatthe wearing action has started from an information processing device bymeans of an operation by a user (for example, pressing a wearing startbutton, not illustrated). The position detection unit 31, upon detectingthe start of the wearing action, lights a light source provided in theimaging unit 32 for a predetermined period of time (e.g., a few seconds)(step S62). As a result thereof, the marker diagram applied to thesurface of the contact lens 10D emits light, and the user is able toconfirm the marker diagram by seeing the position of the emitted light.The user uses the position of the emitted light as a guide to positionthe contact lens 10D. When the positioning is completed, the informationprocessing device transmits a signal indicating that the wearing actionhas been completed to the health state determination device 50D, bymeans of an operation by the user (for example, pushing a wearingcompletion button, not illustrated). As a result thereof, the healthstate determination device 50D is able to detect the completion of thewearing action. The wearing position determination unit 34 detects thecompletion of the contact lens 10D wearing action by receiving, from thehealth state determination device 50D, a signal indicating that thewearing of the contact lens 10D has been completed (step S63). Thewearing position determination unit 34, upon detecting the completion ofthe wearing action, instructs the imaging unit 32 to capture an image ofthe user's eye (step S64). The imaging unit 32 then captures an image ofthe user's eye. The wearing position determination unit 34 uses thisimage to determine the wearing position of the contact lens 10D (stepS65). For example, if the iris appears in the entirety of the capturedimage, then the wearing position determination unit 34 determines thatthe contact lens 10D is being worn at the position at whichauthentication is to be performed. If, for example, a portion other thanthe iris appears in the image, then the wearing position determinationunit 34 determines that the wearing position of the contact lens is notthe position at which authentication is to be performed. If it isdetermined that the position is not the position at which authenticationis to be performed (step S65: No), then the wearing positiondetermination unit 34 lights a light source provided in the imaging unit32 for a predetermined period of time, and prompts the user to align theposition (step S66). This process is repeated until the wearing positiondetermination unit 34 determines that the wearing position is theposition at which authentication is to be performed.

If it is determined that the wearing position is the position at whichauthentication is to be performed (step S65: Yes), then the wearingposition determination unit 34 instructs the authentication unit 35 tostart the authentication process. The authentication unit 35 performsiris authentication by collating the image captured by the imaging unit32 with an iris image of a legitimate user that is prestored in thememory unit 38 (step S67). The authentication unit 35 outputs theresults of the authentication to the health state determination device50D. The health state determination device 50D determines whether or notthe authentication has succeeded (step S68). If the authentication hassucceeded (step S68: Yes), then the health state determination device50D performs a user health state determination process (step S69). Ifthe authentication has failed (step S68: No), then the health statedetermination device 50D notifies the above-mentioned informationprocessing device that the authentication has failed (step S70). Theinformation processing device displays that the authentication failed onthe display unit and the user is made aware that the authenticationfailed.

FIG. 23A to 23C are diagrams indicating examples of marker diagrams forpositioning according to the seventh exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 23A is an example of a case in which a cross-shaped marker diagramis provided near the center of the contact lens 10D. FIG. 23B is anexample of a case in which an isosceles triangle marker diagram isprovided near the center of the contact lens 10D. FIG. 23C is an exampleof a case in which numbers are arranged as marker diagrams at quarteredsections of the contact lens 10D. The marker diagrams having the shapesand numbers indicated in the examples are formed by means of afluorescent dye, a light guide, an LCD (liquid crystal display), an LEDor the like, on the surface of the contact lens 10D. The marker diagramsreceive light from a light source and emit light, thereby allowing themto be seen by a user. The user positions the contact lens 10D by usingthese marker diagrams as markers.

FIG. 24 is a diagram for explaining position determination according tothe seventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is an example of a state in which the user is wearing thecontact lens 10D. The case in which the imaging unit 32 captures animage of a portion of the user's eye corresponding to a positional rangeat which the authentication device 30D is arranged will be explained. Inthis case, when the contact lens 10D is worn at the position illustratedin FIG. 24 , many portions other than the iris will appear in the imagecaptured by the imaging unit 32. By comparing an image captured in thispositional relationship with, for example, a pre-registeredauthentication image of the iris of a legitimate user, the wearingposition determination unit 34 detects that the captured image includesportions that are not part of the iris. The wearing positiondetermination unit 34 determines that the position of the contact lens10D is not the position at which authentication is to be performed onthe basis of this detection result.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, the authentication device30D is able to determine whether or not the wearing position of thecontact lens 10D is the position at which iris authentication is to beperformed. Additionally, the authentication device 30D is able to promptthe user to align the wearing position of the contact lens 10D with theposition of the user's iris (position at which authentication is to beperformed). As a result thereof, the authentication device 30D is ableto use iris authentication to authenticate whether a user who is wearingthe contact lens 10D is a legitimate user.

Eighth Exemplary Embodiment

Herebelow, an authentication system according to an eighth exemplaryembodiment of the present invention will be explained.

The structure of the authentication system according to the eighthexemplary embodiment is similar to the structure of the seventhexemplary embodiment.

The authentication system according to the eighth exemplary embodimentperforms iris authentication without requiring the contact lens 10D tobe positioned. Specifically, the memory unit 38 according to the eighthexemplary embodiment stores an image over the range that can be capturedby the imaging unit 32 (e.g. an image of the iris around the entirecircumference of the eyeball). The authentication unit 35 according tothe eighth exemplary embodiment performs iris authentication bycalculating the similarity between the image captured by the imagingunit 32 and a portion of the image stored in the memory unit 38.

FIG. 25 is a flow chart showing an example of the registration method ofthe iris image in the seventh exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. In this method, during the initial setup, an authenticationimage obtained by capturing images of the eyeball from allcircumferential directions over a range, in the circumferentialdirection, centered about the pupil, is registered in the memory unit38.

When the user wears the contact lens 10D, the position detection unit 31receives a signal, from the health state determination device 50D,indicating that the wearing of the contact lens 10D has been detected,and thereby detects that the wearing action of the contact lens 10D hasstarted (step S101). Upon detecting the starting of the wearing action,the position detection unit 31 instructs the imaging unit 32 to capturean image (step S102). The imaging unit 32 captures an image in which aportion of the user's eye appears. Next, the wearing positiondetermination unit 34 determines whether or not the imaging unit 32 hascompleted the capturing of an image of the entire circumference centeredon the user's pupil (step S103). The image of the entire circumferenceis not limited to being an image obtained by capturing images from allcircumferential directions over 360° and, for example, may be imagesthat are captured from multiple angles that are turned, for example, 10°at a time. If the capture of images over the entire circumference is notcompleted (step S103: No), the wearing position determination unit 34lights the light source provided in the imaging unit 32 for apredetermined period of time and prompts the user to rotate the contactlens 10D (step S104). Next, based on an output from an accelerationsensor or a gyrosensor, not illustrated, the wearing positiondetermination unit 34 determines whether or not the rotational positionof the contact lens 10D is a position at which the capturing of imageshas not been completed (step S105). If the rotational position of thecontact lens 10D is not a position at which the capturing of images hasnot been completed (step S105: No), the process returns to step S104,and the wearing position determination unit 34 prompts the user torotate the contact lens 10D again. On the other hand, if the rotationalposition of the contact lens 10D is a position at which the capturing ofimages has not been completed (step S105: Yes), the process returns tostep S102 and the imaging unit 32 is instructed to capture images.

On the other hand, if the capturing of images over the entirecircumference has been completed in step S103 (step S103: Yes), then thememory unit 38 stores an authentication image obtained by combining theimages captured in step S103 (step S106).

Thus, according to the eighth exemplary embodiment, the imaging unit 32stores an authentication image over the range for which images can becaptured. As a result thereof, the authentication unit 35 can performiris authentication without positioning the contact lens 10D.

In another exemplary embodiment, instead of combining the images overthe entire circumference, the memory unit 38 may store the imagescaptured in step S103 directly as authentication images.

Ninth Exemplary Embodiment

Herebelow, an authentication system according to a ninth exemplaryembodiment of the present invention will be explained.

The structure of the authentication system according to the ninthexemplary embodiment is the same as that in the eighth exemplaryembodiment.

As with the eighth exemplary embodiment, the authentication systemaccording to the ninth exemplary embodiment performs iris authenticationwithout requiring the contact lens 10D to be positioned. Specifically,the memory unit 38 according to the ninth exemplary embodiment stores animage over the range that can be captured by the imaging unit 32 (e.g.an image of the iris around the entire circumference of the eyeball).The authentication unit 35 according to the eighth exemplary embodimentperforms iris authentication by calculating the similarity between theimage captured by the imaging unit 32 and a portion of the image storedin the memory unit 38.

FIG. 26 is a flow chart showing an example of the iris imageregistration method according to the ninth exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention. In this method, an authentication image captured bythe information processing device is registered in the memory unit 38.

The user operates an information processing device and activates apredetermined application program (step S111). At this time, the user iswearing the contact lens 10D. Next, the information processing devicecaptures images of the user's eye by means of the imaging unit providedin the information processing device (step S112). Next, the informationprocessing device transmits the captured image to the contact lens 10D(step S113).

When the contact lens 10D receives the image from the informationprocessing device, the imaging unit 32 captures an image in which aportion of the user's eye appears (step S114). Next, the authenticationunit 35 performs iris authentication by collating the image captured bythe imaging unit 32 with the image received from the informationprocessing device (step S115). The authentication unit 35 determineswhether or not the authentication has succeeded (step S116). If theimage captured by the imaging unit 32 and the image received from theinformation processing device are successfully collated, then thisindicates that the image received from the information processing devicecan be used as an authentication image. On the other hand, if thecollation between the image captured by the imaging unit 32 and theimage received from the information processing device fails, then thisindicates that the image received from the information processing devicecannot be used as an authentication image.

If the authentication fails (step S116: No), the authentication unit 35notifies the above-mentioned information processing device that theauthentication failed. As a result thereof, the information processingdevice again displays an instruction to capture an image (step S117),the process returns to step S112, and an image in which the user's eyeappears is captured again.

If the authentication succeeds (step S116: Yes), the authentication unit35 records, in the memory unit 38, an authentication image received fromthe information processing device (step S118).

Thus, according to the ninth exemplary embodiment, the imaging unit 32stores an authentication image over the range for which images can becaptured. As a result thereof, the authentication unit 35 is able toperform iris authentication without requiring the contact lens 10D to bepositioned.

In the present exemplary embodiment, it is determined whether or not animage captured by the information processing device is suitable as anauthentication image by means of a determination by the authenticationunit 35 as to whether or not the authentication has succeeded, but it isnot limited thereto. For example, in another exemplary embodiment, it ispossible to determine whether or not an image captured by theinformation processing device is suitable as an authentication imagebased on determinations of the spatial frequency or contrast of theimage.

In another exemplary embodiment, it is not necessary for the contactlens 10D to be worn when capturing the image by means of the informationprocessing device. In this case, the contact lens 10D performs theprocessing of step S114 and subsequent steps so as to determine whetheror not the image captured by the information processing device issuitable as an authentication image after worn.

Tenth Exemplary Embodiment

Herebelow, an authentication system according to a tenth exemplaryembodiment of the present invention will be explained.

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of the authenticationsystem according to the tenth exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

As illustrated in FIG. 27 , the authentication system according to thepresent exemplary embodiment includes a wearable article 10E and aninformation processing device 20E. As in the seventh exemplaryembodiment, the wearable article 10E (contact lens 10E) includes amemory unit 11, a communication unit 12, a battery unit 13, a chargingunit 14, a control unit 15, a position detection unit 31 and an imagingunit 32.

As in the seventh exemplary embodiment, the information processingdevice 20E includes a display control unit 21, a display unit 22, acommunication unit 23, a memory unit 24, a wearing detection unit 33, awearing position detection unit 34 and an authentication unit 35.Additionally, the information processing device 20E further includes animaging unit 41 and a health state determination unit 42. The imagingunit 41 is provided on the casing of the information processing device20E, on a surface which is the same surface as that on which the displayunit 22 is provided, and captures an image of the user facing thedisplay unit 22. The health state determination unit 42 is a processingunit that performs the same processing as the health state determinationunit 50D according to the seventh exemplary embodiment.

The authentication system according to the tenth exemplary embodimentassists in the positioning of the contact lens 10E by means of theinformation processing device 10E. The contact lens 10E according to thetenth exemplary embodiment does not have a marker diagram.

The functions of the tenth exemplary embodiment will be explained. FIG.28 is a flow chart illustrating an example of the authentication methodaccording to the tenth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.When the user puts in the contact lens 10E, the information processingdevice 20E detects the start of the wearing action, for example, by anoperation by the user (e.g., pressing down a wearing start button, notillustrated) (step S71). At this time, the user holds the informationprocessing device 20E so that the user's face faces the surface on whichthe display unit 22 is provided. When the information processing device20E detects the start of the wearing action, the imaging unit 41 startsto capture an image (step S72). Since the imaging unit 41 is provided onthe same surface as the display unit 22, the user's eye and the contactlens 10E appear in the image captured by the imaging unit 41.

The wearing position determination unit 34 determines whether or not thecontact lens 10E is being worn at the position at which authenticationis to be performed (step S73), based on the positions of predeterminedcircuits (for example, the memory unit 11, the communication unit 12,the battery unit 13, the charging unit 14, the control unit 15, theposition detection unit 31 or the imaging unit 32), in the contact lens10E, appearing in the image captured by the imaging unit 41. Forexample, if the predetermined circuits in the contact lens 10E appear atpredetermined positions in the captured image, then the wearing positiondetermination unit 34 determines that the contact lens 10E is being wornat the position at which authentication is to be performed.Additionally, for example, if the predetermined circuit in the contactlens 10E appears so as to be separated by at least a predetermineddistance from the predetermined position in the captured image, then thewearing position determination unit 34 determines that the wearingposition of the contact lens 10E is not the position at whichauthentication is to be performed. If the position is determined as notbeing the position at which authentication is to be performed (step S73:No), then the wearing position determination unit 34 displays, on thedisplay unit 22, a screen prompting the user to position the contactlens 10E (step S74). The wearing position determination unit 34 repeatsthese processes until the wearing position determination unit 34determines that the wearing position is the position at whichauthentication is to be performed. An example of a screen prompting theuser to position the contact lens 10 includes the display of an arrowindicating the direction of rotation of the contact lens 10E.

If the position is determined to be the position at which authenticationis to be performed (step S73: Yes), then the wearing positiondetermination unit 34 transmits to the contact lens 10E, via thecommunication unit 23, image capture instruction information andcaptured image transmission instruction information (step S75). As aresult thereof, the imaging unit 32 of the contact lens 10E captures animage of the user's eye and transmits the captured image to theinformation processing device 20E.

The wearing position determination unit 34 instructs the authenticationunit 35 to start the authentication process. The authentication unit 35performs iris authentication by collating the image captured by theimaging unit 32 with an iris image of a legitimate user that isprestored in the memory unit 38 (step S76). The authentication unit 35outputs the authentication results to the health state determinationunit 42. The health state determination unit 42 determines whether ornot the authentication has succeeded (step S77). If the authenticationhas succeeded (step S77: Yes), then the health state determination unit42 performs a user health state determination process (step S78). If theauthentication fails (step S77: No), then the health state determinationunit 42 displays that the authentication has failed on the display unit22 (step S79). As a result thereof, the user is made aware that theauthentication has failed.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, the informationprocessing device 20E is capable of determining whether or not thecontact lens 10E is being worn at the position at which irisauthentication is to be performed. Additionally, the informationprocessing device 20E is able to prompt the user to align the wearingposition of the contact lens 10E with the position of the user's iris(position at which authentication is to be performed). As a resultthereof, the information processing device 20E is able to authenticatewhether a user wearing the contact lens 10E is a legitimate user bymeans of iris authentication.

Although the contact lens 10E according to the present exemplaryembodiment does not have a marker diagram, it is not limited thereto.For example, in another exemplary embodiment, the contact lens 10E mayhave a marker diagram. In this case, the information processing device20E determines the wearing position based on the angle of the markerdiagram appearing in the image captured by the imaging unit 41.

Additionally, according to the present exemplary embodiment, theinformation processing device 20E performs the authentication processand the health state determination process, but it is not limitedthereto. For example, in another exemplary embodiment, at least one ofthe authentication process and the health state determination processmay be performed in the contact lens 10E, and the information processingdevice 20E may display the processing result thereof, as in the secondexemplary embodiment.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, the informationprocessing device 20E determines the wearing position of the contactlens 10E based on an image captured by the imaging unit 41, but it isnot limited thereto. For example, in another exemplary embodiment, ifthe contact lens 10E is provided with an acceleration sensor, theinformation processing device 20E may determine the wearing position onthe basis of the output from the acceleration sensor. In that case, theinformation processing device 20E specifies the wearing position of thecontact lens 10 based on the direction of gravity detected by theacceleration sensor.

Eleventh Exemplary Embodiment

Herebelow, an authentication system according to an eleventh exemplaryembodiment of the present invention will be explained.

FIG. 29 is a section view illustrating an example of a wearable articleaccording to the eleventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 illustrates a wearable article 10G (referred to as contact lens10G), which is a contact lens type wearable terminal. The contact lens10G has a laminated structure including a first-layer lens 300A and asecond-layer lens 300B. The first-layer lens 300A forms a layer on aside that is worn over the user's eye. The second-layer lens 300B formsa layer on a side that contacts the outside air. The contact lens 10Gfurther includes an authentication device 30G and a health statedetermination device 50G. The authentication device 30G and the healthstate determination device 50G are provided between the first-layer lens300A and the second-layer lens 300B.

The contact lens 10G has a shape that is kept upright overall by meansof gravity or blinking. Examples of shapes that are kept upright bygravity or by blinking include shapes having a thick portion 301 in apart of the contact lens 10G, such as a prism ballast shape or a doubleslab-off shape. Shapes that are kept upright by gravity or by blinkingare generally used in contact lenses for astigmatism, and are normallynot employed in normal contact lenses that do not require alignment ofthe rotation direction position.

A prism ballast shape is a shape in which the thickness of the contactlens 10G becomes gradually thicker from top to bottom. As a resultthereof, each time the user blinks, the thicker side surface is pushedout and moved downward due to its own weight, thereby allowing therotation direction position of the contact lens 10G to be held fixed. Adouble slab-off shape is a shape in which the upper and lower parts ofthe contact lens 10G are relatively thinner and the left and right partsare relatively thicker. As a result thereof, the upper and lower thinparts are pinched each time the user blinks, thereby allowing therotational position of the contact lens 10G to be held fixed.

The authentication device 30G captures an image via the first-layer lens300A. For this reason, the first-layer lens 300A is formed so as to haveconcentrically uniform thicknesses so that captured images are notdistorted. Therefore, the thick portion 301 is included in thesecond-layer lens 300B. The authentication device 30G and the healthstate determination device 50G are provided on the inside of the thickportion 301 of the contact lens 10G, as shown in FIG. 29 . As a resultthereof, it is possible to make the overall thickness of the contactlens 10G thinner and to increase the amount of oxygen supplied to thecornea.

The authentication unit 35 starts the authentication process after theuser blinks. As a result thereof, the authentication unit 35 is able tostart the authentication process when, due to the blinking action, thereis a high probability that the wearing position of the contact lens 10Gis the position at which authentication is to be performed. Therefore,the authentication system according to the tenth exemplary embodimentdoes not need to be provided with a position detection unit 31 and awearing position determination unit 34.

The above-mentioned authentication device 30 has a computer that isinternal thereto. Additionally, the steps in the processes of theabove-mentioned authentication device 30 are stored, in the form of aprogram, in a computer-readable recording medium, and theabove-mentioned processes are performed by the computer reading andexecuting the program. In this case, a computer-readable recordingmedium refers to a magnetic disc, a magneto-optic disc, a CD-ROM, aDVD-ROM, a semiconductor memory device or the like. Additionally, thecomputer program may be transmitted to the computer over a communicationline, and the computer may execute the program upon receiving thistransmission.

The above-mentioned program may be for partially carrying out theabove-mentioned functions. The above-mentioned program may be aso-called difference file (difference program) that is combined with aprogram that is already recorded in the computer system in order tocarry out the above-mentioned functions.

All or some of the functions of the above-mentioned authenticationdevice 30 may be carried out by utilizing hardware such as an ASIC(Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable LogicDevice), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or the like.

In addition thereto, the features in the above-mentioned exemplaryembodiments may be appropriately replaced with well-known features,within a range not departing from the scope of the present invention.Additionally, the technical scope of the invention is not limited to theabove-mentioned exemplary embodiments, and various modifications may bemade within a range not departing from the scope of the presentinvention.

All or some of the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments may bedescribed as indicated in the following supplementary notes, but theinvention is not to be construed as being limited to the following.

(Supplementary Note 1)

An authentication device comprising:

a wearing position determination unit that determines a wearingposition, the wearing position being a position at which a wearablearticle comprising a sensor is being worn on a body; and

an authentication unit that performs authentication by using biometricinformation of the body, the biometric information being detected by thesensor at the wearing position.

(Supplementary Note 2)

The authentication device according to supplementary note 1, furthercomprising:

a display unit that displays information regarding positional alignmentbetween the wearable article and the body when the wearable article isbeing worn on the body.

(Supplementary Note 3)

The authentication device according to supplementary note 1 or 2,further comprising:

a wearing detection unit that detects that the wearable article has wornon the body,

wherein the wearing position detection unit determines the wearingposition when it is detected that the wearable article has worn on thebody.

(Supplementary Note 4)

The authentication device according to any one of supplementary notes 1to 3, wherein the sensor comprises an image sensor that obtains thebiometric information by capturing an image of the body.

(Supplementary Note 5)

The authentication device according to any one of supplementary notes 1to 4,

wherein the wearable article comprises a finger ring having a ringshape, and

the wearing position determination unit determines a wearing position ofthe finger ring based on a distance from a predetermined position on afinger on which the finger ring is being worn to the wearing position ofthe wearable article.

(Supplementary Note 6)

The authentication device according to any one of supplementary notes 1to 4,

wherein the wearable article comprises a finger ring having a ringshape, and

the wearing position determination unit determines a wearing position ofthe finger ring based on a distance from an inner circumferentialsurface of the finger ring to a surface of a finger on which the fingerring is being worn, at a position at which the finger ring is beingworn.

(Supplementary Note 7)

The authentication device according to any one of supplementary notes 1to 3,

wherein the wearable article comprises a finger ring having a ringshape,

the sensor comprises an image sensor that captures an image at aposition at which the finger ring is being worn, and

the authentication unit performs vein authentication by collating animage captured by the image sensor with a pre-registered authenticationimage, the pre-registered authentication image comprising a vein patternat a predetermined position of a finger on which the finger ring isbeing worn.

(Supplementary Note 8)

The authentication device according to any one of supplementary notes 1to 3,

wherein the wearable article comprises a finger ring having a ringshape,

the sensor comprises an image sensor that captures an image at aposition at which the finger ring is being worn, and

the authentication unit performs vein authentication by collating theimage captured by the image sensor with each of a plurality ofpre-registered authentication images, the pre-registered authenticationimages comprising a vein pattern detected from each of a plurality ofdirections at a predetermined position of the finger on which the fingerring is being worn.

(Supplementary Note 9)

The authentication device according to any one of supplementary notes 1to 3,

wherein the wearable article comprises a contact lens,

the sensor comprises an image sensor that obtains an image by capturingan image of the body,

the wearing position determination unit determines a wearing position ofthe contact lens based on the image captured by the image sensor, and

the authentication unit performs authentication by using an iriscomprised in the image captured by the image sensor.

(Supplementary Note 10)

A wearable article comprising the authentication device according to anyone of supplementary notes 1 to 4.

(Supplementary Note 11)

A finger ring comprising the authentication device according to any oneof supplementary notes 5 to 8.

(Supplementary Note 12)

A contact lens comprising:

a surface that is coated with a fluorescent coating; and

the authentication device according to supplementary note 9.

(Supplementary Note 13)

An authentication system comprising:

the authentication device according to any one of supplementary notes 1to 9; and

a display device that obtains, from the authentication device,information indicating the wearing position, and displays informationfor improving the wearing position based on the information indicatingthe wearing position.

(Supplementary Note 14)

An authentication system comprising:

a wearable article comprising a sensor that detects the biometricinformation; and

an information processing device comprising the authentication deviceaccording to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 4.

(Supplementary Note 15)

An authentication method comprising:

determining a wearing position, the wearing position being a position atwhich a wearable article comprising a sensor is being worn on a body;and

performing authentication by using biometric information of the body,the biometric information being detected by the sensor at the wearingposition.

(Supplementary Note 16)

A program for causing a computer of an authentication device to execute:

determining a wearing position, the wearing position being a position atwhich a wearable article comprising a sensor is being worn on a body;and

performing authentication by using biometric information of the body,the biometric information being detected by the sensor at the wearingposition.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention may be applied to an authentication device, anauthentication system, an authentication method or a program.

REFERENCE SYMBOLS

-   10, 10B, 10C Wearable article-   10A Ring-   11 Memory unit-   12 Communication unit-   13 Battery unit-   14 Charging unit-   15 Control unit-   20B Display device-   20C Information processing device-   30, 30B, 30C Authentication device-   31 Position detection unit-   32 Imaging unit-   33 Wearing detection unit-   34 Wearing position determination unit-   35 Authentication unit-   36 Display control unit-   37 Display unit-   38 Memory unit-   310 Acceleration sensor-   311A, 311B, 311C, 311D Electrostatic capacitive sensor-   320 Light source-   321 TFT sensor-   370A, 370B, 370C LED lamp-   40 Computation device-   50D Health state determination device

1. An authentication device comprising: a ring; a first sensorconfigured to acquire fingerprint information; an authentication circuitconfigured to perform authentication based on fingerprint informationstored in the ring and the acquired fingerprint information; acontroller configured to cause a function of the ring to be active basedon a result of the authentication by the authentication circuit; asecond sensor configured to detect acceleration of the ring; a thirdsensor configured to detect a finger inside the ring; and adetermination circuit configured to, when the finger inside the ring isdetected by the third sensor, determine that the ring is positioned atan authentication position based on the acceleration detected by thesecond sensor, wherein the authentication circuit is configured toperform the authentication when it is determined that the ring ispositioned at the authentication position by the determination circuit.2. The authentication device according to claim 1, wherein the firstsensor is configured to acquire fingerprint information at theauthentication position.
 3. The authentication device according to claim1, further comprising: a second determination circuit configured todetermine whether a user wearing the ring is an authorized user.
 4. Theauthentication device according to claim 1, wherein the authenticationcircuit is configured to use the result of the authentication forpersonal identification.
 5. The authentication device according to claim1, further comprising: a communication circuit configured to executecommunication with an external device based on the result of theauthentication.
 6. The authentication device according to claim 5,wherein the controller is configured to control the communicationcircuit so that the communication circuit transmits personal informationused for a payment service.
 7. The authentication device according toclaim 6, further comprising: a memory configured to store the personalinformation used for the payment service.
 8. The authentication deviceaccording to claim 6, wherein the controller is configured to cause useof the payment service to be invalid when a number of times that theauthentication has been performed is equal to or more than apredetermined number.
 9. The authentication device according to claim 1,further comprising: a light configured to emit light based on the resultof the authentication by the authentication circuit.
 10. Theauthentication device according to claim 1, wherein the function of thering includes permitting to enter or exit a secured room.
 11. Theauthentication device according to claim 1, wherein the function of thering includes permitting to use on a transit system.
 12. Anauthentication method executed by an authentication device, theauthentication device comprising a ring, the method comprising:acquiring fingerprint information; performing authentication based onfingerprint information stored in the ring and the acquired fingerprintinformation; causing a function of the ring to be active based on aresult of the authentication; detecting acceleration of the ring;detecting a finger inside the ring; and when the finger inside the ringis detected, determining that the ring is positioned at anauthentication position based on the detected acceleration, wherein theauthentication is performed when it is determined that the ring ispositioned at the authentication position.
 13. A non-transitorycomputer-readable recording medium storing a program for a computer ofan authentication device, the authentication device comprising a ring,the program causing the computer to execute: acquiring fingerprintinformation; performing authentication based on fingerprint informationstored in the ring and the acquired fingerprint information; causing afunction of the ring to be active based on a result of theauthentication; detecting acceleration of the ring; detecting a fingerinside the ring; and when the finger inside the ring is detected,determining that the ring is positioned at an authentication positionbased on the detected acceleration, wherein the authentication isperformed when it is determined that the ring is positioned at theauthentication position.